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There are many different kinds of ticks that can bite. Grass ticks are usually small, no bigger than the head of a pin. Other ticks such as dog ticks are usually much larger. Most of the time there is little risk from the bite of a tick. The usual reaction is nothing more than a raised skin bump, which gets better within a few days.
Occasionally, ticks can transmit infections to humans. Some tick bites, may cause Lyme disease, which has flu-like symptoms, and a local rash that looks like a bulls eye target. Dog ticks can cause paralysis in dogs but are not harmful to humans. It is possible to develop swollen glands and a swollen area in the region of the tick bite. No treatment is generally required and the symptoms will settle in a few days to a couple of weeks. IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT TICK BITES OR HAVE BEEN BITTEN BY A TICK, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR. IN THE MEANTIME, HERE ARE SOME TIPS: - FIRST: Prevention is the best course of action. Avoid wooded areas. If you go bush walking or work in bushy areas, make sure you wear long pants and shoes. If you spend time in areas that have ticks, you should always do a careful examination of your entire body to check for ticks. Pay special attention to neck, head, groin and crease areas.
- SECOND: If a tick bites you, try to remove it by pulling gently with a pair of tweezers. Avoid crushing the tick because it then may become difficult to remove. Touching the tick with a cold substance, such as an ice cube or applying a drop of oil, nail polish remover, or vinegar may make removal easier. It is necessary to remove the tick's head, not just the body. If you are unable to grasp the head, a butter knife or credit card scraped along the skin will usually force the head out of the skin.
- THIRD: After you remove a tick, keep it in a plastic bag to take to your doctor. Your doctor will want to identify the tick to determine your risk for getting an infection.
- FINALLY: If you think that you were bitten by a tick and you develop a "bull's-eye-like" rash, flu-like symptoms, or weakness in your legs following a tick bite, call your doctor: Lyme disease can be treated.
Article #4927 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
