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What do ticks look like? -

Ticks are small, blood-sucking bugs with eight legs. They’re arachnids, which means they’re related to spiders.

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They grow -

As they take in more blood, ticks grow. They range in size from as small as a pin’s head to as large as a pencil eraser. After a tick feeds for several days, it swells up and can turn a greenish-blue color.

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They come in different colors -

The different kinds of ticks can range in color from shades of brown to reddish-brown and black.

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Where do ticks bite people? -

Ticks prefer warm, moist areas of the body. Once a tick gets on your body, it’s likely to migrate to areas such as your armpits, inside your bellybutton, groin, hair, or behind your knees.

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They don't always migrate -

However, ticks don’t always migrate. Therefore, it's important to check your entire body.

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How they act -

When a tick reaches a desirable spot, it bites into your skin and begins drawing blood. They typically remain attached to your body after they bite you.

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How can you tell if you’ve been bitten by a tick? -

If a tick bites you, you’ll likely know because you’ll find a tick on your skin. They can remain attached to the skin for up to 10 days after they first bite.

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Symptoms of an allergic reaction to a tick bite -

Tick bites are usually harmless and don't produce symptoms. But if you’re allergic to tick bites, you may experience pain, swelling, a rash, burning sensations, or even shortness of breath.

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How to remove a tick -

If you find a tick attached to your skin, simply remove it as soon as possible. Use clean tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upwards, and try not to bend or twist the tick.

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Clean the bite - Check the bite site to see if the tick’s head or mouth parts are in the bite. If so, remove those carefully. Then clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

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Tick-borne diseases -

Ticks can pass potentially severe diseases to human hosts. Those diseases include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, tularemia, and ehrlichiosis.

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Symptoms of tick-borne diseases -

Symptoms of tick-borne diseases will begin within a few days to a few weeks after a tick bite. Those symptoms might include fever, a full body rash, nausea, headache, and muscle pain.

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When to contact a doctor -

It’s important to contact your doctor as soon as you can after a tick bite, even if you don’t have any symptoms.

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A doctor can help you with potential treatments -

A doctor can determine if any treatment is necessary, based on the type of tick that bit you.

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Vaccine for TBE -

If you are planning to stay in an area with a high occurrence of infected ticks, a tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccine is the safest way of avoiding the infection.

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Preventing tick bites -

Tick exposure can occur year-round, but ticks are most active during warmer months. Click on to discover how to prevent tick bites.

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Know where to expect ticks -

Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals. Many people get ticks when they're out in nature, and even in their yards.

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Treat clothing and gear -

Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used on boots, clothing, and camping gear, and remain protective through several washes.

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Use repellents -

Use tick repellent that’s at least 20% DEET. Always follow product instructions, and don't use products containing OLE or PMD on children under the age of three.

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Avoid contact with ticks - Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass, and always walk in the center of trails.

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Check your clothing for ticks -

Any ticks that are found should be removed. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks. If the clothes require washing, hot water is recommended, as ticks won't die in cold and medium temperature water. 

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Examine gear and pets -

Ticks can enter the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats, and backpacks.

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Shower soon after being outdoors -

Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

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Check your body for ticks after being outdoors -

Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, including your own backyard.

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Cover up -

Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants when visiting the woods or grassy areas where ticks are common.

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Maintain your yard -

When it comes to your yard, reduce leaf litter and mow tall grass or brush that may serve as a tick habitat.

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Preventing ticks on your pets -

Dogs are very susceptible to tick bites and tick-borne diseases. Therefore, it's important to always check your doggo for ticks and use a tick preventive product on them.

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Tick bites on dogs may be hard to detect -

Signs of tick-borne disease may not appear for seven to 21 days or longer after a tick bite, so watch your dog closely for changes in behavior or appetite.

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When it comes to cats -

Cats are extremely sensitive to a variety of chemicals, so don't apply any tick prevention products without first consulting with your veterinarian.

See also: Celebs who struggle with Lyme disease

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