Your Complete Guide To Treating A Tick Bite

May 16, 2018

Now that warm weather is finally here, it's the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors. But there's a risk you should be aware of before you lace up your hiking boots. Ticks are everywhere, and chances are good that you could get a tick bite or two this summer.

Ticks are more than just a nuisance - they're a health hazard. Many ticks carry diseases that they pass to humans through their bites. But you don't have to stay inside all summer for fear of ticks. Here's how to avoid bites and treat any that do occur.

Wear long sleeves when you go outside so that less of your skin is exposed, and tuck your pants into your socks. Choose light-colored clothes so that ticks will show up better if they climb on you. Bug repellent can also be helpful. Most importantly, though, you should always check your body for ticks after you've been outside.

Ticks live everywhere, but they're most common in natural areas like forests, gardens, and compost piles. They even lurk on playground equipment sometimes.

No. If a tick has bitten you, you shouldn't do anything to irritate it, including burning it or putting nail polish on it. That will cause it to spit more venom into your body.

Sterilize a pair of tweezers and grasp the tick as close to its head as you can. Pull the tick out in one motion. Try to keep the tick in one piece.

Keep the area of the bite clean. Wash it with warm water and soap, and sterilize it with a dab of alcohol. Put a band-aid over the area until it heals.

Save the body of the tick. If you get sick, doctors can use the tick to determine what kind of illness you have. Put the tick in a plastic bag and keep it in the freezer.

If you can't get the whole tick out of your skin, see a doctor to remove it. In addition, if you develop any unusual or flu-like symptoms, make an appointment to rule out tick-borne illnesses.

Deer ticks are the most dangerous tick variety because they carry Lyme disease. However, a deer tick usually has to be attached to your body for a full day before it can transmit the disease to you.

A bull's-eye rash is the most telling symptom of Lyme disease. Other symptoms include fever, headaches, fatigue, and muscle pain.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is another tick-borne disease that's most common in the eastern half of the U.S. If you live in the South, you should also be aware of the Southern tick-associated rash illness, which is similar to Lyme disease.
 

How are you going to prevent tick bites this summer? We'd love to hear your ideas! If you liked this article, show it to your family and friends so they can protect themselves from tick bites, too.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!