Photos of Different Types of Ticks That Transmit Diseases

Understanding Ticks and the Diseases They Carry

Ticks are small parasitic organisms that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes amphibians and reptiles. While ticks themselves are relatively harmless, many species can transmit dangerous diseases when they bite humans or animals. Being able to identify different types of ticks and understanding the health risks they pose is an important step in protecting yourself from tick-borne illnesses.

Common Tick-Borne Diseases

Some of the most common diseases spread by ticks in the United States include:

• Lyme disease - Caused by borrelia bacteria and can cause fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic bullseye skin rash if not treated quickly with antibiotics.
• Anaplasmosis - Caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum bacteria that attack white blood cells and can cause fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and nausea.
• Babesiosis - Caused by Babesia parasites that infect red blood cells and can result in flu-like symptoms, as well as potentially life-threatening complications.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever - Caused by Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria and can result in fever, rash, headache, stomach pain and muscle pain if not promptly treated.
• Tularemia - Caused by Francisella tularensis bacteria and causes ulcerating skin lesions, swollen glands and fever.
• Ehrlichiosis - Caused by Ehrlichia bacteria and causes fever, headache, fatigue and muscle aches.

Tick Identification and Photos

Being able to identify different species of ticks can help you assess your risk of certain tick-borne diseases. Here are some of the most common ticks in North America:

Deer Tick (Blacklegged Tick)

Deer ticks, also known as blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), can transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus. They are found primarily in the northeastern and upper midwestern U.S. Adults have black legs and a reddish-brown body.

Lone Star Tick

Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) can spread ehrlichiosis, tularemia, STARI, and southern tick-associated rash illness (Masters disease). They are common in southeastern and south-central states. Females have a distinctive single white dot on their backs. Males have scattered white dots.

American Dog Tick (Wood Tick)

American dog ticks, also known as wood ticks (Dermacentor variabilis), can transmit tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). Their habitat ranges across North America, east of the Rocky Mountains. Adults have brown bodies with sparse gray markings.

Brown Dog Tick

Brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) can spread RMSF and ehrlichiosis. They are found worldwide and prevalent in warmer climates. Both males and females feed on blood and swell up to bluish-gray in color after feeding.

Groundhog Tick

Groundhog ticks (Ixodes cookei) can transmit Powassan virus. Their range primarily covers northern U.S. states and Canada. These hard-bodied ticks have a distinctive orange-red color with gray markings on their abdomen.

Preventing Tick Bites and Tick-Borne Illness

The best way to avoid contracting a disease from ticks is to prevent them from biting you in the first place. Important tick safety measures include:

• Wear EPA-registered insect repellent when spending time outdoors, reapplying as directed.
• Wear light-colored clothing that covers exposed skin and tuck pants into socks when walking through tall brush.
• Conduct full-body checks for ticks after being outdoors and remove any attached ticks promptly with tweezers.
• Talk to your vet about tick prevention products approved for use on pets.
• Clear overgrown vegetation and leaf litter from around your home.

Even with good prevention, tick bites can still occur. If you develop fever, rash or other concerning symptoms after a tick bite, see your healthcare provider for evaluation and potential antibiotic treatment.

What to Do if You Find a Tick

If you find a tick attached to your skin, follow these steps:

1. Use pointed tweezers and grasp the tick close to the skin without squeezing its body.
2. Pull straight up slowly and steadily until the tick releases its bite without breaking off mouth parts or legs in the skin.
3. Clean the bite area thoroughly with soap and water, rubbing alcohol or an iodine scrub.
4. Save the tick if possible by placing it in a sealed bag or container in case you develop symptoms later and testing is needed to identify pathogens.
5. Watch for potential symptoms of tick-borne illness in the days and weeks following the bite and notify your doctor promptly if concerning signs appear.

With prompt tick removal, monitoring for disease symptoms and timely medical care if needed, most people recover fully from tick-related illnesses. Being tick smart provides important protection for enjoying the outdoors.

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.