A tick is a parasite that sucks blood to survive. They bite humans and transmit severe diseases. Tick bites are not fatal, but treatment at the right time with antibiotics can resolve the problem. These bugs are common in many parts of the United States. Tick bites can also cause allergic reactions.
Some tick-borne diseases include
- Lyme Disease
- Babesiosis
- Ehrlichiosis
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness
- Relapsing Fever
- Colorado Tick Fever
- Q Fever
The tick bites are not poisonous, but they cause severe complications. A person should seek immediate help from doctors if they experience any symptoms that indicate a tick-borne disease. The symptoms depend on the condition, but some signs include:
- Body and muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Headaches
In addition, a rash may develop along with a stiff neck and facial paralysis.
Preventive Measures
Prevention remedies are the best to avoid ticks. Some steps to follow are:
- The patio and garden should be kept clean, and spray tick repellent on the grasses to keep them away. Insect repellent should be used around your home to prevent ticks from invading your property.
- Avoid sitting on the ground during hiking or camping. Wear light-colored clothes so that you can easily spot them. Avoid woods and grassy areas where ticks are found most, as they love moist areas. When you are hiking, try to stay in the middle of trails. Use tick-deterring bug sprays like picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon, eucalyptus, and para-menthane-diol. Consult a pediatrician to check if they are safe for the children.
- When returning from the outdoors, people should check all their clothing and pets for ticks. Check the body thoroughly for these bugs. Look for ticks on the hair, ears, armpits, belly button, behind the knees, and between the legs.
- It is crucial to remove a tick that is attached to the skin. Use a fine-tipped tweezer and apply pressure to grasp the tick carefully to pull it away from the skin. Do not bend the tick as this can leave its mouth on the skin. If the part of the mouth remains, clean the area with disinfectant and leave it to heal.
- Put the live tick in a sealed bag in alcohol, wrap it tightly and flush it down a toilet. Do not try to crush a tick with bare hands. Sometimes, doctors advise keeping the tick for testing in the lab. You can take a picture of the bug, which can help the doctor identify the type of tick and determine the tick-borne disease.
The bite area can develop a lesion within 30 days. Infections can develop with redness, warmth, or inflammation. Tick paralysis can start with numbness or tingling in the legs, often associated with muscle pain. The person can feel tired and irritable. The numbness moves up, followed by paralysis that starts in your feet. The paralysis can spread to the arms and possibly the lungs. Usually, tick paralysis is not fatal, but it should be treated immediately. Tick paralysis symptoms are related to Guillain-Barre syndrome, in which the body’s immune system affects the nerves, leading to paralysis.
Along with the above preventative measures, call pest control in San Antonio, Texas, and discuss your concerns.