Tick bites can occur anywhere on the body and are sometimes not discovered for a few hours. Ticks may also bite dogs and cats, but some of the diseases they carry are specific to humans. Some consequences of a tick bite are temporary and mild, while others may lead to lifelong diseases.
Ticks
Ticks live in woods or grasslands and feed upon the blood of mammals. Some ticks, such as the deer tick, are as small as the point on a pencil, while others can reach about the size of a pencil eraser. A person can pick up ticks from trees, plants, bushes or grass as they work or play outdoors. Once on the skin, a tick will bite into the skin and suck the person's blood.
Diseases
Children may be vulnerable to tick paralysis, a disease caused by a toxin produced by female ticks. Ticks also may act as vectors and carry bacterial diseases such as lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever and tularemia. Some people may be allergic to ticks and experience an allergic reaction upon receiving a tick bite.
Symptoms
Signs of an allergic reaction to a tick bite include swelling or pain at the site of the bite, a rash, skin blisters, difficulty breathing, uncoordinated movement and general weakness. Symptoms of a tick-borne disease may include swollen lymph nodes, fever, weakness, headache, stiff neck, muscle or joint aches and a rash. People who contract lyme disease will see a red spot with an expanding red ring surrounding it. A symptom of Rocky Mountain spotted fever are small red bumps on the wrists and ankles.
First Aid
According to the Mayo Clinic, the proper way to handle a tick bite is to first remove the tick from the skin by using a pair of tweezers to gently pull the tick off. The tick should be sealed in a jar and brought to the doctor to determine whether it is carrying any diseases. After removing the tick, the hands and the area where the tick bite occurred should be cleaned with soap and water.
Prevention
To prevent tick bites and the diseases they can cause, the Nemours Foundation recommends avoiding tick-infested areas, and when entering wooded areas, individuals should wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants that can be tucked into the socks. An insect repellent with 10 to 30 percent DEET can be used on anyone older than two. After spending time outdoors, check for any ticks on the skin. Pay close attention to the scalp, neck, behind the ears and under the arms.
