In general, the majority of tick bites are painless and causes only minor symptoms and signs which include swelling, redness or a lesion on the skin. However, some ticks can transmit bacteria that cause serious illnesses such as Rocky mountain fever, Lyme disease, and tick paralysis. For Lyme disease to be transmitted, a tick must be attached for a minimum period of 36 hours. Other infections can be transferred within a few minutes or hours.
How To Take Care Of A Tick Bite
- The tick must be removed carefully and quickly. Fine-tipped tweezers or forceps must be used to grasp a tick as near as the skin surface as possible. The tick must be gently pulled off with a slow upward motion without squeezing or twisting it. Avoid handling the tick with bare hands, and experts don’t recommend the use of a hot match, fingernail polish or petroleum for removing the tick.
- If possible, the tick must be placed in a sealed container in the freezer in case you physician needs to examine it in case of you developing more symptoms.
- Gently wash the lesion area and your hands with iodine scrub, soap and warm water, or rubbing alcohol.
When Is It Necessary To Acquire Emergency Care?
You must call 911 or your local emergency service once you develop the following:- Difficulty breathing
- A severe headache
- Paralysis
- Heart palpitations
Prevention of an issue is always better than having to deal with it. Therefore, it is vital to check your pets regularly for ticks and fleas and contact your local vet for tick treatment options to keep these nasty critters at bay.
When Is It Necessary To Call Your Doctor?
- In case of you not succeeding in removing the tick entirely. The longer the tick remains on your skin, the higher the risk is of contracting a disease from it.
- The rash spreads or worsens. A small contusion may emerge where the bit mark is which is normal. But whenever the rash is getting larger with possibly a bulls-eye pattern, it can be a sign of Lyme disease. Generally, the rash will go away within three to fourteen days. Its best to contact your doctor even after the symptoms disappear as you may still be at risk of getting a disease from the tick bite, depending on where you usually live or travel to, and the time you spend in the outdoors, mainly grassy or woody areas and if you have taken any precautions to protect yourself.
- You are developing any flu-like symptoms such as chills, muscle and joint pain, fever, and headaches together with a rash.
- You have an inkling that the bite area is infected with symptoms and signs including oozing or redness on the skin.
- When you’re suspecting that you’ve been bitten by a deer tick. In such a case, you’ll need a course of antibiotics.
