Q. I heard on the news that there is a new disease you can get from ticks that makes you allergic to meat. It sounds terrible! My husband and I don’t go for hikes in the mountains anymore, but we have been going for walks around our town common this summer. Should we be worried about ticks and this new disease?

A. These days, it’s easy to hear something on the news and wonder if it’s something to worry about. In the case of ticks, a little awareness goes a long way. Since ticks tend to prefer damp, grassy, or wooded areas, you’re less likely to have an issue if you’re walking on a sidewalk in your town, but ticks and tick-borne diseases are a real concern, especially for older adults.

The Massachusetts Department of Health (DPH) has issued a warning about alpha-gal syndrome, which is an allergy to red meat and dairy that’s associated with ticks. They say for now, most of the cases in Massachusetts are on Cape Cod and the Islands. No matter where we’re walking, it’s important to protect ourselves from ticks and the diseases they spread. Here are a few precautions you can take.

• Make it a habit to check yourself for ticks at the end of each day.
• Repellents can make a difference. Use one that contains DEET on exposed skin when you go out.
• When you go for a walk, stick to main paths and avoid brush if you can.
• To keep ticks away from your skin and make it easier to spot them, wear long-sleeved, light-colored clothing. Tuck your long pants into socks for extra protection.
• Pets that spend time outdoors may bring ticks back inside. If you have a pet, talk to your veterinarian about the best ways to protect your animals from ticks.

Ticks like to hide in the areas between the toes, back of the knees, groin, armpits, and neck, along the hairline, and behind the ears. If you find a tick attached to you, carefully remove it using fine tweezers or a tick removal tool – and do so quickly. It can take up to 24 hours for a tick to transfer a disease to you, so you may be able to protect yourself from getting sick just by acting fast. If possible, save the tick and see your doctor if you develop symptoms like a rash or fever in the weeks after.

With a little vigilance, you and your husband can keep yourselves free of ticks and the diseases they spread. I hope you both enjoy many more walks outside this summer.

Are you caring for an older adult or need help finding healthy aging resources? Our experienced staff is available to help. Visit us online at www.agespan.org. You can also call 800-892-0890 or email info@agespan.org. 

Joan Hatem-Roy is the chief executive officer of AgeSpan, which serves the following cities and towns: Amesbury, Andover, Billerica, Boxford, Chelmsford, Danvers, Dracut, Dunstable, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Marblehead, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Peabody, Rowley, Salisbury, Salem, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Westford, and West Newbury.