Ticks are tiny arachnids that can cause much pain if they bite you. They attach themselves to your skin with their sharp “tickle hairs” and then suck your blood. If a tick bites you, it’s essential to get it off as soon as possible since the tick can spread diseases like Lyme disease.
Continue reading to learn more about ticks and where you can find pest control services.
What Is a Tick Bite?
Ticks are parasites that feed by biting warm-blooded hosts. A tick bite can transmit germs, viruses, and protozoans (one-celled organisms) that can cause illness in people and animals. Some of these potentially fatal disorders are as follows:
- Anaplasmosis
- Babesiosis
- Ehrlichiosis
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Lyme disease
- Tularemia
Other conditions spread by ticks include:
- Colorado tick fever
- Heartland virus
- Powassan virus
- Relapsing fever
- Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI)
- Spotted fever
- Tick paralysis
Ticks are often tiny and difficult to notice unless they have been attached for an extended period. They become larger and more apparent as they suck on your blood.
Are There Different Types of Ticks?
Ticks are parasitic organisms that feed on warm-blooded hosts. Because they are arthropods, they are linked to mites and spiders. This is equivalent to eight legs. Ticks come in various sizes and shapes. The following are some of the most prevalent ticks in the United States:
- Blacklegged or Deer tick
- Dog tick
- Lone Star tick
What Are the Hazards of a Tick Bite on Your Body?
You might not even realize a tick has bitten you. The majority do not cause bother or discomfort, but some do. Tick bites do not always spread illness. You might be able to get rid of the tick before it spreads the disease.
A tick bite may not create symptoms other than a rash or a little hard bump on the skin. Tick bites can result in an infection, which can cause symptoms.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Tick Bite?
Many tick-borne infections exhibit the following symptoms:
- Chills
- Fever
- Headaches
- Irritation of the skin
- Itching or irritation, although typically not immediately
- Muscle ache
- Tiredness
Some tick-borne rashes are disease-related. Rocky Mountain spotted fever causes little reddish or purple spots on the skin (called petechiae).
Erythema migrans are recognized by rashes that spread like a bulls-eye. Southern tick-associated rash sickness, or STARI, causes a similar rash. The STARI rash is also known as the Lone Star tick rash.
Some rashes appear as little red or darker-colored spots that are difficult to differentiate.
What Should You Do If a Tick Bites You?
If a tick has bitten you, the simplest approach to get rid of it is to do the following:
- With dull tweezers, gently but firmly press the tick’s head against your skin until it loses its grip on your flesh.
- Prevent crushing or touching the tick with your bare hands to avoid exposure to its germs.
- Do not use kerosene, petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline®), or hot cigarette butts to remove the tick.
How Can You Lower Chances of Being Bitten by a Tick?
If you’re going outside, especially in a thickly forested location, you should take a few easy steps to avoid tick bites.
Long-sleeved, light-colored, closely woven clothing is recommended. Ticks have less space to target, and you may find ticks on your clothing. To prevent ticks from your pant legs, tuck your jeans into your socks, shoes, or boots.
- When traveling through wooded or grassy areas, keep to the center of the paths. Make it a practice to mow your grass at home regularly.
- Check for ticks when you arrive home from being outside. They may be fastened to anything. Check your hair, body folds, and the area below your knees, along your beltline, between your legs, in or behind your ears, underarms, and back.
- Inspect your pets as well. Before using tick prevention products on your dogs, visit your veterinarian.
Conclusion
Tick bites can be a severe medical emergency. If not treated immediately, they can lead to serious complications, such as fever, swelling, and an infection. Treatment typically includes antibiotics and pain relief. Lastly, prevention is always better than cure—so seek pest control companies to control a flea and tick infestation!
Prowess Pest Control aims to provide customers, workers, and the community with safe, trustworthy pest control services. Contact us if you notice a tick infestation at your home so we can take care of that for you!
