Recognizing Tick Bites
Ticks are small parasites that feed on blood. They live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas and can attach themselves to people or animals that walk by. Ticks bite the skin and embed their mouthparts, causing redness, irritation, and swelling around the bite.
Not all tick bites result in illness, but some ticks do carry diseases. So it's important to check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks if you've walked through areas where they live. Finding and removing ticks quickly can help prevent transmission of tick-borne diseases.
Look for Common Signs of Tick Bites
Some of the most common signs that you've been bitten by a tick include:
- A small red bump on your skin that looks like a mosquito bite
- A bump with a clear ring around it
- A small black dot in the center of the bump
The black dot is where the tick's mouthparts are embedded in your skin. The clear ring may be the tick's saliva, which can irritate your skin. As your body reacts to the tick bite, the bump may become larger, redder, and more painful over the next few days.
Check Areas Ticks Love to Bite
When examining yourself or family members for tick bites, carefully check the following areas where ticks love to feed:
- In and around the ears
- On the scalp, especially in hairline and behind the ears
- Under the arms
- In the belly button
- In and around the groin
- On the back of the knees
- Around the ankles
Young ticks called nymphs are tiny - about the size of a poppy seed or piece of dirt. So check carefully and use a magnifying glass if necessary to spot them.
Removing an Embedded Tick
If you do find a tick burrowed into your skin, resist the urge to panic. Not all tick bites lead to illness. But you do want to carefully remove the tick as soon as possible to reduce disease transmission risk.
Follow these steps to safely remove an attached tick:
- Use pointed tweezers and grasp the tick close to the skin's surface.
- Pull upward with steady pressure to avoid breaking the tick or leaving mouthparts in your skin.
- After removal, wash your hands and bite area thoroughly with soap and water.
- Apply an antiseptic to the bite site.
Don't handle the live tick with bare hands. And don't use petroleum jelly, hot matches, or other home remedies to try to get a tick to back out on its own - these may actually increase disease risk.
Take a Photo of the Tick
After removal, take a close-up photo of the tick if possible. Specimens can sometimes be identified by type, which may help determine treatment if you do become ill.
Place the tick in a sealed plastic bag and write the date and location of the bite on the bag. Your doctor may want to see the tick if you develop symptoms later.
Watch for Signs of Infection
Monitor the bite area closely for several weeks. Redness, pain, rash, and other reactions at the bite site can indicate a developing infection. Reactions may appear anytime from 3 to 30 days post-bite.
Flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, headaches, and fatigue can also signal tick-borne illness. Symptoms may come and go as the infection flares.
Diseases Spread By Ticks
Ticks transmit a variety of bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens. The most common tick-borne diseases in the United States include:
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. It's transmitted by ticks that feed on small rodents and deer before latching onto humans.
Early symptoms appearing 3 to 30 days after a bite may include:
- Fatigue and chills
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Muscle and joint aches
- Headaches
- A characteristic "bulls-eye" rash at the bite site
Later untreated symptoms can be severe with pain, nerve issues, arthritis, heart problems, and brain inflammation. Antibiotics are used to treat Lyme disease.
Anaplasmosis
Anaplasmosis is caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum bacteria transmitted by deer ticks. Symptoms are similar to Lyme disease but typically more severe:
- High fever
- Chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle pain
- Headache
Usually appearing 5+ days after a tick bite, anaplasmosis responds well to antibiotic treatment.
Ehrlichiosis
Ehrlichiosis is caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, or E. muris bacteria. Signs include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Confusion
- Rash (less common)
Symptoms appear around 1 to 2 weeks post tick bite. Both Doxycycline and Rifampin work to combat Ehrlichia bacteria.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
RMSF is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria from ticks. Signs include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Body pains
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Rash on hands and feet spreading to arms, legs, and trunk
RMSF requires fast treatment with Doxycycline to prevent severe damage or death. Symptoms usually start 2 to 14 days after bite.
Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF)
TBRF is caused by Borrelia bacteria and spreads fast through the bloodstream. Symptoms include:
- Recurring fevers lasting 3 to 6 days
- Chills
- Headache and body pain
- Nausea, vomiting
Symptoms appear roughly 7 days post tick bite and repeat during active infection. Antibiotics eliminate TBRF bacteria.
Tularemia
The bacteria Francisella tularensis causes tularemia or "rabbit fever". Signs include:
- Sudden fever
- Chills and sweating
- Headaches, body pain
- Dry cough, difficulty breathing
- Skin ulcers, swelling
Onset occurs 3 to 5 days after tick bite. Antibiotics are used to treat tularemia infections.
Babesiosis
Babesiosis is caused by Babesia parasites that infect and destroy red blood cells. Symptoms are:
- Fever, chills, sweating
- Dark urine
- Muscle pain, fatigue
- Nausea, abdominal pain
- Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
Onset average 1 to 4+ weeks post bite. Supportive medical care + antiparasitic drugs help treat babesiosis.
Powassan Virus
The Powassan tick-borne virus can cause brain swelling. Signs include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Loss of coordination
- Memory problems
Symptoms appear 1 week to 1 month after bite. There is no specific treatment - only supportive medical care.
Colorado Tick Fever
Colorado Tick Fever stems from a tick-borne RNA virus. Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Head and body aches
- Fatigue
- Sore throat, vomiting
- Rash
Onset 3 to 6 days post bite. Most people recover fully in time with rest and fluids.
Preventing Tick Bites
You can reduce your chances of being bitten while enjoying the outdoors. Prevention tips include:
- Wear EPA-registered insect repellent on skin and treat clothes and gear
- Wear long sleeves and pants tucked into socks when feasible
- Stick to trails and avoid high brush and grass
- Check for ticks often and remove promptly
- Shower soon after potential tick exposure
- Talk to your vet about tick prevention products for pets
Being tick-aware allows you to spot embedded parasites early for quick removal before they can transmit illnesses.
When to See Your Doctor
Consult a physician if you develop any symptoms of infection after a tick bite, especially within 3 to 30 days post-bite. Early diagnosis and treatment of tick-related illness improves outcomes.
See a doctor right away if you experience:
- Rash expanding from bite site
- Bull's-eye rash pattern
- Multiple rashes on body
- Flu symptoms like high fever and body aches
- Weakness or joint pains
- Any severe symptoms or marked deterioration
Be sure to give your doctor details about any recent tick bites. Blood tests and possibly antibiotics or other medication may be warranted depending on your symptoms.
The Takeaway
Learning to identify tick bites and safely remove embedded ticks can prevent transmission of a host of worrying diseases. Monitor bite sites and your overall health closely post-bite, and see a physician promptly if any concerning symptoms develop.
With proper precautions, you can detect tick trouble early and receive any required treatment before serious infection sets in. Stay tick-aware, be bite-wise, and enjoy the outdoors with greater peace of mind.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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