Fact Checked
Overview – What Is A Tick Bite?
- Ticks are tiny, insect-like creatures
- They can be tiny or as big as the size of an eraser
- They are generally found in the grasslands and woods
- They fix themselves to people, pets and other animals
- Once attached to your skin, they progress to other warm, clammy areas
- Favorite places include hair, groin and armpit
- Once tightly connected to the body, they start to suck blood
- They can cause harmless or damaging injuries
Symptoms
- Irritation, redness, itching
- Inflammation at the site
- Muscle or joint ache
- Tenderness of the joints
- Inflamed lymph node
- Flu-like signs
- Fever
Symptoms that require emergency treatment—
- Chest pain
- Difficulty in breathing
- Severe headache
- Paralysis
- Palpitations
Treatment
- Get rid of the tick cautiously by gripping the head, using a tweezer
- Eliminate the entire tick
- Do not squash the tick
- Place the tick into a bottle and close
- This is to supply your doctor with information
- Use soap and water to clean the affected region
- Clean your hands carefully
- Seek medical assistance if you are not able to get rid of the tick
Prevention
- When walking through a forest or tall grass wear clothing and shoes that cover you completely
- Keep your shirt slipped into your pants
- Pull your socks over the pants to cover up the feet well
- Put on light-colored clothing to spot ticks instantly
- Squirt insect repellents on your clothing
- While outside, examine your clothing regularly for ticks
- On your way home, examine yourself carefully for ticks
Extra First Aid Steps To Eliminate an Embedded Tick:
- Clean your hands.
- Sanitize tweezers by steaming them or by pouring antibacterial solution over them.
- With tweezers, clutch the tick as close to its head as possible and draw it straight out with a balanced motion. Be wary not to leave the head entrenched in the skin, and make certain all parts of the tick are fully removed. Note: Be certain to not bend the body as you draw it out.
- Wash the region fully with soap and water.
After the tick has been totally separated, watch for symptoms of infection or sickness, especially if the tick was attached for more than one day.
Related Video On Tick Bites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2GUqC80jyc