What to Know About Tick-Borne Illnesses Before Summer in Florida

Summer in Florida is everything: the beach days, the backyard barbecues, the early morning hikes through state parks with Spanish moss hanging overhead, and the smell of pine in the air. But as temperatures climb and Floridians spend more time outdoors, something else becomes a lot more active too: ticks. And unlike a sunburn or a bug bite you notice right away, a tick bite often goes completely undetected, which is what makes tick-borne illnesses one of the most underestimated health risks of the warmer months.

Whether you are spending time in wooded trails in Pasco County, letting the kids play in the backyard in Hillsborough, or walking your dog near brushy areas in Pinellas, Lee, or Charlotte counties, the risk is real and worth knowing about before you head outside this season.

The Tick-Borne Illnesses You Actually Need to Know About

Florida is home to several tick-borne diseases that range from manageable to genuinely serious if left untreated. This is not meant to alarm anyone, but being informed about what these illnesses are and how they present is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family this summer.

Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis

These two bacterial infections are among the most commonly reported tick-borne diseases in Florida, and they are often mistaken for the flu in their early stages. Symptoms typically appear within one to two weeks of a tick bite and include fever, severe headache, muscle aches, chills, and fatigue. They can be treated effectively with antibiotics when caught early, which is exactly the reason you should not wait out symptoms that seem “off” after spending time outdoors.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Despite the name, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is very much a Florida concern. It is caused by Rickettsia bacteria and is one of the more serious tick-borne illnesses in the country. Symptoms include a high fever, a bad headache, and a rash that often appears on the wrists and ankles before spreading to the rest of the body. This is one illness where time truly matters. Delayed treatment increases the risk of serious complications, so any combination of fever and rash after a tick bite warrants prompt medical attention.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is commonly associated with the Northeast, but Florida residents are not off the hook. While locally acquired cases are lower here, infections brought back from travel are frequently seen. The hallmark symptom is a “bull’s-eye” rash around the bite site, though not everyone develops one. Fatigue, joint pain, and flu-like symptoms are also common early signs. The black-legged tick, the primary carrier of Lyme disease, is found in northern and north-central Florida and stays active year-round thanks to Florida’s warm, humid climate.

Alpha-Gal Syndrome

This one surprises a lot of people. The Lone Star tick, extremely common throughout Florida, carries a sugar molecule called alpha-gal that, when transmitted through a bite, triggers a delayed allergic reaction to red meat and other mammal-based products. Symptoms like hives, stomach upset, swelling, and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis show up hours after eating, not right after the bite, which makes it tricky to connect the dots. If you have noticed new reactions to red meat or dairy products and spend time outdoors regularly, this is worth discussing with a healthcare provider.

Know Your Enemy: Florida’s Tick Species

Not all ticks are created equal, and knowing which ones are active in your area helps put the risk in context. Florida is home to several tick species that carry disease, and identifying them matters.

• The Lone Star tick is one of the most aggressive biters in the state. It does not wait for a host to brush past; it actively hunts. Recognizable by the white dot on the back of the female, it transmits ehrlichiosis, some spotted-fever illnesses, and is the primary culprit behind alpha-gal syndrome. It is most active in spring and summer, which puts it right in the thick of outdoor season.
• The American dog tick is larger and more visible than many other species, and it is capable of carrying the Rickettsia bacteria responsible for Rocky Mountain spotted fever. It tends to be most active from spring through early fall and loves areas with tall grass and low shrubs, including suburban yards and park edges.
• The black-legged tick, also called the deer tick, is the one most associated with Lyme disease. In Florida, it is more commonly found in the northern part of the state and is unique in that it stays active through cooler months as well as warmer ones. Florida’s mild winters mean there is rarely a true “off season” for this species.

Symptoms That Should Never Be Ignored

One of the most important things to know about tick-borne illnesses is that early symptoms often feel like something much more ordinary, which leads people to dismiss them. Here is what to watch for, especially in the days and weeks following outdoor activity in wooded, grassy, or brushy areas.

• Fever that comes on suddenly, often with chills
• Severe headache that does not respond well to typical over-the-counter remedies
• Muscle aches, joint pain, or overall body fatigue
• A rash, particularly one that appears near the bite site or spreads across the body
• Nausea, loss of appetite, or general malaise that lingers longer than a typical bug

Symptoms of tick-borne illnesses overlap with a lot of common conditions, which is one reason people delay seeking care. If you have spent time outdoors and develop any of these symptoms, especially a fever combined with a rash, get evaluated as soon as possible. Mention the outdoor exposure and any tick bites you noticed, even if the bite seemed minor.

How to Protect Yourself Before You Head Out

Prevention is always the first line of defense, and it does not have to be complicated. A few consistent habits go a long way in reducing your risk. Use the right repellent. DEET-based repellents applied to skin and permethrin-treated clothing are the most effective options for tick prevention. Permethrin bonds to fabric and kills ticks on contact, so treating your hiking clothes, socks, and shoes before a trip is a smart move.

Dress with ticks in mind. Wear long pants and tuck them into your socks when walking through wooded or grassy areas. It sounds overly cautious until you pull a tick off your ankle and realize how much easier it is to spot them on light-colored clothing. Do a full body check every time. After any outdoor activity, do a thorough tick check on yourself, your children, and your pets. Ticks love to hide in warm, hard-to-see spots: behind the knees, in the groin area, in the armpits, around the hairline, and behind the ears. A thorough shower right after coming indoors is also helpful for washing off any unattached ticks.

Remove ticks the right way. Use fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, and pull upward with steady pressure. Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water afterward. Avoid folklore methods like petroleum jelly or heat, as these increase the chance of the tick releasing harmful fluids.

TGH Urgent Care Powered by Fast Track Is Here When You Need Us

If you or someone in your family has been bitten by a tick and is developing symptoms, or if you are unsure whether a bite needs to be looked at, do not wait to seek care. Tick-borne illnesses respond much better to treatment when addressed early, and there is no reason to tough it out at home when help is close by.

TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track has multiple locations across the greater Tampa Bay area, with clinics serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Lee, and Charlotte counties. We are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., so you never have to wait until Monday or squeeze in a last-minute appointment. Our Save My Spot e-Check-in system lets you fill out your paperwork electronically before you arrive, making the process faster and easier from the moment you walk through the door. If you have been spending time outdoors this summer and something does not feel right, come see us. We are here to help you enjoy the season safely.