Whether you’re out on a camping trip or spent the day hiking, sometimes a tick will come along to try and put a damper on your day. After all, when you look down and see one that’s latched on for dear life, the first thought that may be going through your head is Lyme disease. But as much of a nuisance as they can be and the fear of you catching a disease can certainly be unsettling, you don’t need to freak out. As long as you know the proper steps to remove one, you should be fine. I’d like to take a few moments to share with you what symptoms to look out for when it comes to Lyme disease, but also how to remove a tick that’s embedded into your skin the right way. Ticks on humans: what to do…
Ticks on Humans: What to Do if You Find a Tick
For those few of you that have never had a tick on you, your day is probably coming. Do you know what proper steps to take when that happens? If your answer is no, I’d encourage you to stick around because this information could keep you or one of your loved ones from getting very sick from a tick bite.
Don’t Panic!
Although Lyme disease is a growing concern especially concerning tick bites, your chances of catching the disease are extremely low in the first 24 hours. So if you plan on camping or doing any hiking, be sure to check yourself immediately afterward instead of waiting until later. If you do happen to find one latched onto your skin, take a deep breath and try to stay calm. This will make the process a whole lot easier to properly remove it.
Have the Proper Tools
Don’t make the mistake of using your fingers to remove any unwanted tick. Doing it this way may remove the body of the tick, but the head may still be there and continue to spread harmful pathogens into your body without you realizing it. Fine-tipped tweezers are the best tool to use when removing a tick. In the past, you may remember seeing someone use a lighter or hot match tip to kill and remove a tick but this is actually not a good idea because it can cause the tick to regurgitate those same pathogens that can then cause a serious infection. There’s also the chance you can burn yourself with that method.
Proper Method to Removing a Tick
- While using tweezers, get as close to the base of the tick where it’s latched on and gently apply pressure without squeezing for best removal.
- Don’t twist or jerk the tweezers while you’re pulling upward. Doing so can cause the head or the mouth of the tick to remain behind underneath the skin even when you’ve removed its body. This can lead to a serious infection if this goes unnoticed.
- Should the head or parts of the mouth remain behind, continue to use the tweezers to remove it. If you are unable to remove everything that’s beneath the skin, thoroughly clean the area with rubbing alcohol and then finish washing with soap and warm water. It’s important to try and remove tick parts that have been left behind. You should also consider applying a strong antiseptic to try and kill any “germs” left behind. Do your best for overall best results!
- Look for any red discoloration of the skin or swelling in the area of the bite. If you see these signs, you’re better safe than sorry by going to a health professional for a check-up.
How to Dispose of a Tick
While that tick may have caused your anxiety level to kick up a few one-to-many notches, don’t try to put it out of its misery by crushing it between your fingers. Doing so can cause the tick to release and expose you to whatever pathogen or disease it may have been carrying. Instead, you can choose to flush it down the toilet or drown it in rubbing alcohol before discarding it.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
Although Lyme disease is hardly ever life-threatening, the symptoms can be much more severe when left untreated for too long. Do you know what to look out for? These are symptoms to watch out for that are common with Lyme disease.
- Fever
- Flu-like symptoms (vomiting, chills, nausea, headache, joint aches and joint pain, tiredness, muscle aches, and stiff neck)
- Rash
- Achiness over your entire body
- Lack of energy
Symptoms of tick-borne illnesses aren’t always noticeable. Know the signs of most common tickborne diseases, so that you can stay protected. The type of tick matters and the bite of infected adult ticks can change your life forever. If you’re worried about finding ticks on humans, then know these symptoms!
Pay Attention to the Bite Site
If you start to notice a bull’s-eye rash starting to develop in the region where the tick bit you, or a few weeks later you’re getting symptoms that are common with Lyme disease, you need to head into your nearest urgent care to get evaluated. Getting an early diagnosis and the proper treatment can greatly improve the outcome. The health of you or a loved one is extremely important, so don’t wait!
Stay Away From Tick-Infested Areas
Finally, another way to avoid those ticks is to stay away from the tick-infested areas. There are many different types of ticks, so make sure you do your research! Even if there is a rumor that there are tons of ticks in the wooded area, it’s best to steer as clear as possible.
What kind of ticks exist?
- Deer tick
- American dog tick
- Blacklegged tick
- Brown dog tick
- Rocky Mountain Wood Tick
- Lone star tick
- …and many more!
What diseases do ticks cause and which ticks cause them?
If you visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at their website www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases they have a full summary of the various diseases, the most common ticks that transmit the disease, and locations where those ticks are most often found. Here are a few:
- Anaplasmosis – blacklegged tick – northeastern and upper midwestern U.S.B
- Babesiosis – blacklegged tick – northeast and upper midwest
- Colorado tick fever – Rocky Mountain wood tick – Rocky Mountain states at elevations from 4,000 to 10,500 feet
- Heartland virus – Lone Star ticks – midwestern and southern states
- Lyme disease – blacklegged and western blacklegged ticks – northeastern U.S., upper midwest, and Pacific Coast
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever – American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, brown dog tick – More often in the Rocky Mtn. region
Can my dog get sick from tick bites?
A number of the diseases listed above can also be contracted by dogs. Lyme disease seems to be the most common tick-borne disease in the U.S. They are known to be infected by blacklegged and deer ticks. Symptoms of Lyme disease found in dogs are fever, lameness, swollen joints and lymph nodes, and exhibiting lethargy. The symptoms usually show up withing 36-48 hours. Each time you go near grassy and wooded areas with your dog, be sure to check for and remove any ticks you find.
Follow Precautions for Tick Prevention and Disease Control
- The best way to avoid ticks is by wearing insect repellent with Deet as an ingredient and avoiding heavily wooded areas.
- Wear light-colored clothing.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts.
- Always wear long pants, high-in-the-calf socks, and boots or high-top shoes.
- When checking for ticks be sure to look closely in the groin and armpit areas of the body since the ticks like the warmth found there.
More Tips for Pests
Final Word
For those of you that have a love for the outdoors, the likelihood of you getting a tick bite is much higher, but don’t fret! You’ll have nothing to worry about when following the tips I have mentioned above. Don’t take any chances with your health, especially when it comes to a tick on humans. Do you have any other helpful advice for those that may have come across a tick on them? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. Don’t forget about your pets, check out this first aid kid for pets! May God Bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Tick Bite Depositphotos_53022467_S, Lone Star Tick Depositphotos_565635692_S
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