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Tick bites – causes, symptoms and other associated risk factors

Tick bites are very common in the United States of America [1]. Scientifically tics are classified as Arachnida. In this classification are also included spiders. They live outdoors in: leaf piles, shrubs, trees and grass. Ticks are attracted to people and their pets. Ticks can easily move between people and pets. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, then you have likely encountered with them at some point. In the most cases ticks are not transmitting harmful microbes. Tick bites are often harmless and in many cases they do not cause any noticeable symptoms. But they can cause allergic reactions. There are certain ticks which can pass diseases onto humans and pets when they bite. These tick bites can be dangerous or in some cases they can be deadly. Every single person knows that ticks are small and blood – sucking bugs. Ticks can range in size from as small as a pin’s head to as large as a pencil eraser. These bugs have 8 legs. Ticks are arachnids which mean that they are related to spiders. There are different kinds of ticks which can range in color from shades of brown to reddish brown and black. When ticks are taking in more blood, then they grow. When ticks are at their largest, then they can be about the size of a marble. When the tick has been feeding on his host for several days or weeks, then they become engorged and their color can change in greenish blue color.

What other bites resemble Tick bites?

When you are bitten by a tick, then this is usually to be identified. This is happening because the tick can remain attached to the skin for several days or weeks after the first time he has bitten you. In the most cases tick bites are harmless and they will not cause you any kind of physical sign or symptom. In the most cases tick bites are singular because these bugs do not bite in groups or lines. If your bite swells or become red, then the bite may resemble a spider bite.

What are the symptoms of tick bites?

In the most cases tick bites are harmless and they do not produce any symptom. But if you are allergic to a tick bite, then you can experience:

  • Difficulty breathing [2]
  • Blisters [3]
  • A burning sensation at the bite site
  • A rash [3]
  • Pain or swelling at the bite site

There are some ticks that are carrying diseases and they can pass these diseases when they are biting people or pets. Tick – borne diseases can cause a many symptoms and they can usually develop within the first few weeks after a tick bite. There are many varieties of tick – borne diseases. In the most cases for all tick bites, antibiotic cream and local cleansing can be applied. Here are the potential symptoms of tick–borne disease [2,3,4]:

  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Chills
  • A fever
  • Muscle or joint pain or achiness
  • Weakness
  • Nausea
  • A headache
  • Neck stiffness
  • A full body rash
  • A red spot or rash near the bite site

If you have been bitten by a tick and you have some of the mentioned serious symptoms, then you should talk with your doctor as soon as possible.

Tick bites

Where do ticks bite people? These bugs prefer warm and moist areas of your body. Once a tick gets on your body, they are likely to migrate to your hair, groin or armpits. When ticks are in a desirable spot, they bite into your skin and they begin drawing blood. These bugs like most other bugs which bite, typically are remaining attached to your body after they have bitten you. If you have been bitten by a tick, then you can easily recognize it because you will find a tick on your skin. When the period of several days or weeks of drawing blood from your body has passed, then an engorged tick can detach itself and fall off.

Can tick bites cause other problems: These bugs can transmit disease to human hosts. There are many cases in which these diseases are serious. If you have been bitten by a thick, then you will start to feel the signs and symptoms of a tick – borne disease within the first few weeks after this bite. Ehrlichosis, tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever and Lyme disease are diseases which some person can contract through tick bites [5].

References:

[1] Harvey C. Mosquito- and tick-borne diseases are rising in the U.S. Scientific American. 2018. Retrieved from scientificamerican.com/article/mosquito-and-tick-borne-diseases-are-rising-in-the-u-s/

[2] Kausar MA. A review on respiratory allergy caused by insects. Bioinformation. 2018;14(9):540–53.

[3] Haddad V, Haddad MR, Santos M, Cardoso JLC. Skin manifestations of tick bites in humans. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia. 2018;93(2):251–5.

[4] Gleim ER, Garrison LE, Vello MS, et al. Factors associated with tick bites and pathogen prevalence in ticks parasitizing humans in Georgia, USA. Parasites & Vectors. 2016;9.

[5] Murray TS, Shapiro ED. Lyme disease. Clinics in Laboratory Medicine. 2010;30(1):311–28.

Vijila
Vijila
Dr. Emil Sarsath (aka) Vijila, a licensed naturopathic doctor (BSMS) who always ensures his patients receive compassionate, and individualized care. He has extensive experience in primary care, digestive health, mental health, nervous system disorder and more.Area of Expertise – Naturopathic Medicine, Whole Foods-based Nutrition, Siddha, Panchakarma.She is always available through [email protected]

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