Signs of Tick bite

Description

Ticks are related to spiders and there are over 800 different types. Tick bites are more common April through September and they attach themselves to the skin and drink the blood of the patient. Most ticks can be easily removed using tweezers and do not require other treatment. Some ticks carry other serious diseases such as: Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tick Paralysis, Tick Borne Encephalitis and other Rickettsial infections. A patient's risk of getting one of these diseases is associated to where they live in the US.

Symptoms

Skin irritation, mild itching at the bite, visible tick in the skin, mild redness. If the tick is causing other diseases a patient may experience fever, rash, swollen joints, vomiting, weakness, swollen lymph nodes or headache.

Tests

A history and physical exam will be done. Generally no other testing is needed unless the provider thinks the patient is at risk for other tick related diseases.

Treatment

The tick needs to be removed as quickly as possible. Gloves should be worn but if they are not available use a piece of cloth or paper to pick up the tick after it is removed and avoid touching the tick. Using tweezers grab the tick as close to its head as possible and pull the tick trying not to crush the body. Try to remove the entire tick at once, and if possible save the tick in a jar in case the doctor wants to examine what kind of tick it is. The patient should seek medical attention if all the tick cannot be removed. After removal clean the area with a mild soap and water. The patient should seek medical attention If they develop other symptoms such as fever, rash, weakness, vomiting, muscle aches, or joint aching.