Definition
Ticks are small, insect-like creatures that live in woods and fields. They attach to you as you brush past bushes, plants, and grass. Once on you, ticks often move to a warm, moist location, like the armpits, groin, and hair. They typically attach firmly to your skin and begin to draw blood for their meal. This process is painless and most people will not notice the bite.
Ticks can be fairly large -- about the size of a pencil eraser -- or so small that they are almost impossible to see. Ticks can cause a variety of health conditions ranging from harmless to serious.
See also: Tick bites
Symptoms
While most ticks do not carry diseases, some ticks can cause:
- Colorado tick fever
- Lyme disease
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Tularemia
Watch for the symptoms of these diseases in the weeks following a tick bite:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle or joint aches
- Other flu-like symptoms
- Stiff neck
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Weakness
Watch for a red spot or rash starting at the location of the bite.
The tick itself can cause paralysis in humans (called tick paralysis). Symptoms include:
- Incoordination
- Numbness
- Spreading paralysis
- Tingling
- Weakness
Do Not
- Do NOT try to burn the tick with a match or other hot object.
- Do NOT twist the tick when pulling it out.
- Do NOT try to kill, smother, or lubricate the tick with oil, alcohol, vaseline, or similar material.
Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if
Call your doctor if you have not been able to remove the entire tick. Also call if in the days following a tick bite you develop:
- A rash
- Flu-like symptoms
- Joint pain or redness
- Swollen lymph nodes
Call 911 if you have any signs of:
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Paralysis
- Severe headache
- Trouble breathing
Lyme disease
Deer and dog tick
Rickettsial Diseases
The Signs of Tick Bite Induced Facial Paralysis in Children
