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What Do Ticks Look Like? Tick Appearance and Size

Ticks have round or oval-shaped bodies that become engorged with blood as they feed. After hatching from eggs as tiny six-legged larvae, ticks develop into larger eight-legged nymphs and adults.

Unfed Tick Size

Unfed ticks can be as small as a poppy seed or grain of sand. Even the larger adult deer ticks are only about 14 inch long. This makes spotting ticks difficult.

Engorged Tick Size

Once latched onto a host and feeding, ticks grow substantially in size as they ingest large amounts of blood. An engorged tick can swell up to 10 times its normal size. They stretch out to accommodate the influx of blood that can take days to ingest.

What Do Tick Bites Look Like?

The area around a tick bite may appear:

• Red
• Swollen
• Painful
• Itchy
• Blistery or scabbed over
• Display a bullseye-shaped rash (sign of Lyme disease)

Types of Ticks in the US

There are over 90 species of ticks across the country. The most commonly encountered include:

Deer Tick

Deer ticks live in wooded areas and tall grass. They are brown or black with white markings. Deer ticks are vectors for:

• Lyme disease
• Anaplasmosis
• Babesiosis

Dog Tick

Dog ticks inhabit grassy, brushy areas and wooded trails. They are brown with white dots along the back. Dog ticks transmit:

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Tularemia

Lone Star Tick

Lone star ticks live in overgrown grassy locations. Females have a distinctive white dot on their back. Lone stars can cause:

• Ehrlichiosis
• STARI

Groundhog Tick

Found mainly east of the Rocky Mountains near den areas of chipmunks and other small animals dwelling underground. Groundhog ticks spread tularemia bacteria.

Brown Dog Tick

Prefer warm climates and transmit the bacteria that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever to dogs and people.

Diseases Transmitted By Tick Bites

Tickborne illnesses are on the rise across the United States. Ticks spread pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites when they bite that can trigger severe inflammatory reactions and infections.

Lyme Disease

Flu-like illness accompanied by rash, fever, fatigue. Early antibiotic treatment is crucial.

Anaplasmosis

Bacteria infecting white blood cells. Causes chills, fever, muscle pains.

Ehrlichiosis

Bacterial illness with fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, rash.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Spotted rash appears after bacterial infection. Headaches and abdominal pain precede rash.

Babesiosis

Malaria-like sickness from red blood cell parasite. Sweating, fatigue, dark urine occur.

Powassan

Rare tick-borne virus affecting nervous system. Fever, vomiting, seizures, loss of coordination, memory issues.

Alpha-gal Syndrome

Potentially severe red meat allergy triggered by lone star tick bites resulting in hives, stomach pains, breathing difficulties hours after consumption.

How to Prevent Tick Bites & Reduce Risk of Illness

Avoid Tick Habitats

When hiking, walking, or playing in tick-prone areas like forests, meadows and overgrown grass:

• Wear closed toe shoes and tuck pants into socks
• Stay in center of trails

Use Repellants Containing DEET or Permethrin

Apply EPA approved insect repellants to deter ticks from latching on. Reapply frequently for continual effectiveness. Treat clothes and gear with permethrin.

Conduct Tick Checks

Check yourself, children and pets thoroughly after spending time outdoors where ticks reside. Catching ticks quickly reduces transmission

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.