Symptoms From Tick Bites

Ticks are small insects, some almost impossible to see. They live in the wild and are often found in areas with tall grass or in the woods. Because there are many different types of ticks, tick bites can cause different diseases. The symptoms of a tick bite depend upon the type of disease inflicted, if any. The National Institutes of Health cite Lyme disease, Tularemia, Colorado tick fever and Rocky Mountain spotted fever as the four main diseases caused by ticks. While each of these have similar symptoms, they also have their own distinct symptoms.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is usually from a small tick found on deer or mice. The site of the bite will often develop a "bull's eye" type rash. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) lists the common symptoms of lyme disease as headaches, fever, fatigue and rash. Lyme disease that has not been caught and treated affects the joints, causing them to ache. Aetna InteliHealth states that lyme disease can also cause nerve pain and difficulty with thought processes.

Tularemia

Tularemia is an infection that the NIH reports as common in wild rodents. Infection to humans often comes by way of a tick bite, but can also be spread through mosquitoes or flies. The CDC states that symptoms of tularemia are dependent upon how the disease entered the body. When delivered through a tick bite, symptoms include an ulcer at the site of the bite, followed by swollen glands. Often you can develop swollen glands, without the ulcer on the skin.

Colorado Tick Fever

The National Institutes of Health report that the symptoms of Colorado tick fever often begin 3 to 6 days after the bite. These symptoms often resemble the flu, so a bite is often not immediately suspected. Flu-like symptoms include fever (which may come and go), stiffness in muscles and joints, a sensitivity to light, rash and nausea.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by bacteria spread through the bite of a tick. Aetna InteliHealth lists common symptoms as headache and fever, rashes that appear on wrists, arms, legs and ankles, nausea and abdominal pain. The National Institutes of Health list additional symptoms such as light sensitivity, mental confusion, thirst and hallucinations.