If you've recently been bitten by a tick, it can initially look like most other tiny insect bites.
When a tick bites, it uses specialized mouthparts to embed itself into the skin of its host. Tick bite marks can potentially be accompanied by swelling or pain. Ticks stay attached for several days when they feed. This increases the risk of spreading disease-causing pathogens.
So if you believe you've been bitten by a tick or another pest, it's crucial to seek medical attention.
Signs of a Tick Bite
Immediately following the bite, you may experience:
- Redness at the bite site
- Swelling or inflammation
- Itchiness or irritation
- A small, hard bump
- A black dot in the center of the bite mark
Deer Tick Bites
Black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are commonly found in wooded and grassy areas. These ticks are especially troubling. They can carry Lyme disease, which is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.
When a deer tick bites, the initial symptoms may include:
- A characteristic rash often resembling a bull's eye pattern
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Joint and muscle aches
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If the tick bite is left untreated, the infection can spread, leading to more severe health issues affecting the joints, heart, and nervous system.
I found a tick on me, what do I do?
Time is critical. Most tick-borne diseases need ticks to attach for 24 to 48 hours to transmit, so here's your action plan:
- Get a firm grip on the tick using a pair of tweezers. Try to grab onto the tick with the tweezers as close as possible to the skin.
- Use a firm yet steady hand to pull the tick up and away from the skin using slow, even pressure. Do not jerk the tweezers or the tick, as this can cause the tick's mouth parts to break off and become lodged under the skin.
- In the event that a tick's mouth parts do break off beneath the skin, try to remove them. If you cannot easily remove it with tweezers, please visit a medical professional.
- Once the tick has been removed, wash your hands with soap and water and clean the area with rubbing alcohol (or soap and water).
Call Tick Exterminators
Don't wait for a bite to take action. Professional pest control can create a tick-safe zone around your property. Reach out to tick control experts for a full property check and a tailored treatment plan.