Definition
Tick: any of numerous bloodsucking arachnids of the order Acarina, including the families Ixodidae and Argasidae, somewhat larger than the related mites and having a barbed proboscis for attachment to the skin of warm-blooded vertebrates: some ticks are vectors of disease. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tick?s=t)
Dangers if Bitten
- Skin infection
- blood loss
- Lyme Disease
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Embedded Tick
Some are so small
they are nearly
impossible to see. So,
examine all skin closely!
Also, the longer they are left
to burrow, the further under the skin
they go, the harder they are to see
and the more damage they can do.
Lyme Disease
- caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria usually found in other animals
- transferred by the Black Leg Tick (Deer Tick) biting infected animal then biting person
- not all ticks have the bacteria
- not contagious, only contracted by tick bite. If bitten by infected tick, risk of infection from bacteria increases the longer the tick is attached to skin (usually over 24 hours)
Signs of infection include
- target/ring like rash (appearing within 1-4 weeks after bite
- fevers, aches, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fatigue
- untreated, extends to surrounding areas such as joints, heart and nervous system-more rashes or spreading of rash may occur
- untreated, late stages cause can chronic joint inflammation like arthritis, irregular heartbeat, peripheral neuropathy (unusual numbness in the lower extremities)
- confusion
- test to determine: blood sample, spinal tap, skin biopsy
- treatable with antibiotics-long periods of infection require long antibiotic treatment
- prevention: tick repellent, wearing long sleeves while in grassy/wooded areas, thorough skin examination and removal of tick if present
Lyme Disease Rash
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- caused by the Rickettsia rickettsia organism
- transferred by tick bite or infected blood from tick entering into broken skin, eyes or mucous membranes
Signs of infection include
- high fever (around 102F or greater)
- nausea/vomiting
- fatigue
- severe headache
- muscle aches
- red, non-itching rash beginning a few days after initial signs and start on wrists and ankles but can spread to torso
- tests to determine: biopsy of rash, blood test and test on tick
- treatment is antibiotic therapy (Doxycycline if not contraindicated) and is started ASAP, usually before test results are completed
Can Cause Life-Threatening Condition!
Seek medical treatment as soon as first symptoms are noticed. Take tick in with you for testing if possible.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Rash
How to properly remove a tick
- Remove tick that is embedded into the skin by using a pair of pointy edged tweezers.
- Get as close to skin without pinching to ensure removing all of the tick head. Squeeze and pull in one straight motion.
- Witch Hazel is sometimes used to suffocate the tick, causing it to release from the skin
- Examine skin to make sure all tick is removed.
- Cleanse area with antibacterial soap/alcohol
- Continue to observe area for any redness/swelling or any signs of systemic infection such as fever for the next few days
