Ticks are parasitic arachnids that live in grassy or wooded areas. People can unknowingly pick up ticks as they walk past bushes, plants and grass. Ticks can also be carried on a pet and then transferred to a human. According to the National Institutes of Health: “Ticks can be fairly large—about the size of a pencil eraser—or so small that they are almost impossible to see. Ticks can cause a variety of health conditions ranging from harmless to serious.”
If You Have Been in a Tick-Infested Area
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises people to bathe or shower within two hours of coming from a tick-infested area. Also, thorough inspection of your body in a full-length mirror to check for ticks is helpful. According to the CDC, “Parents should check their children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in their hair.”
Treat pets with products that prevent ticks, as they, too, are subject to ticks.
How to Remove a Tick
Removing an attached tick can be done with tweezers. Grasp the tick as close as possible to the skin and pull straight out ensuring the head is removed. If the head of the tick is stuck, leave it and let the skin heal. The CDC advises: “After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.”
There are many misguided folklore remedies for removing a tick. These include petroleum jelly, soaking the tick in nail polish remover and attempting to burn the tick off with a match. The goal of tick removal is to get the tick out quickly, but all these folklore remedies enable the tick to remain longer. Additionally, using a burning match is dangerous, as it may burn more than the tick!
Tick-Borne Diseases
Not all ticks cause diseases. However, the individual who was bitten must be alert for any skin rash or fever in the weeks following the tick bite.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease occurs as a result of the deer tick. Often presenting with the classic bull’s-eye rash, Lyme disease can go on to cause many different problems if not treated.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever can occur in areas other than the northwestern United States. The brown dog tick is often associated with Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which presents with a fever and rash.
What to Do if You Have Been Bitten by a Tick
Follow up with your primary care physician. Blood tests within two weeks of the tick bite are warranted. Most important, prevent the opportunity for tick bite by dressing appropriately and using tick repellent while outdoors. Be sure to treat pets with repellant, as well.
It is also advised to save the tick and bring it to your healthcare provider. The tick itself can be tested and tickborne disease ruled out.
Finally, don’t panic. Keep in mind that not all ticks cause disease. Remain vigilant in monitoring and follow up with your doctor.
Reference/For More Information
CDC (2013). Preventing Tick Bites. http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_people.html
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