Tick bites

Tick bites

Fact Checked

Tick bites are caused by a tick, a small blood-sucking bug. These pests can range in size from small as a pin’s head to as large as a pencil eraser.

These ticks can grow when they take in a lot of blood up to the size of the marble. After a tick finishes feeding on its host for several days, the tick may become engorged and can have a greenish blue color.

Most of tick bites are not an issue of concern and do not cause any problem or illness. However, ticks can cause an allergic reaction and, in some cases, transmit diseases to humans or pets. These diseases that the ticks pass can be hazardous and even be life-threatening such as Lyme disease.

Signs and symptoms

Tick bites
Most of tick bites are not an issue of concern and do not cause any problem or illness.

Tick bites are often harmless and produce no symptoms. However, a person with an allergy to tick bites may experience these symptoms:

  • Skin rash
  • Pain or swelling at the site of the bite
  • A burning sensation at the site of the bite
  • Blisters
  • Breathing difficulties for a severe reaction

Treating tick bites

The most important thing to do first when you find out that there is a tick on you is to remove it with a tick removal tool or a pair of tweezers. Pull the tick straight up and away from your skin but do not try to bend the tick. Check the bite site and see if any parts of the tick’s head or mouth is in the bite, remove those if there’s any. When you’re done, clean the bite site with soap and water.

Once the tick is removed, immerse in rubbing alcohol to ensure that the tick is dead and store in a sealed container. Consult a doctor as soon as possible to find out if there’s any necessary treatment you need based on the type of tick that bit you.

Prevention

  • Inspect skin closely after travelling in tick-prone regions, especially the underarms, behind ears, between legs, behind knees, and in hair.
  • Wear long sleeves and pants while you are outside
  • Use a tick repellant
  • Take a shower or bath within two hours of being outdoors

FACT CHECK

https://www.healthline.com/health/tick-bites

https://www.medicinenet.com/ticks/article.htm

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/is-that-a-tick-bite#1

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