Ticks

by health

Tiny Ticks Can Cause Big Trouble

What you can't see can hurt you. Consider the tick, that tiny relative of the scorpion, mite, and spider. If you are bitten by an infected tick, you can come down with any number of unpleasant diseases, including Lyme disease, which can lead to a crippling form of arthritis if untreated.

There are various kinds of ticks and various kinds of medical treatment that are specific to the bite of each. But the best way to protect yourself is to prevent yourself from getting bitten in the first place.

Compendium of Tick-Borne Disease: A Thousand Pearls

This Compendium provides a comprehensive overview of tick-borne diseases including descriptions, diagnostic approaches, treatment options, and an array of management plans. The ...

View on Amazon

Everything You Need to Know About Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Disorders, 2nd Edition

Keep your family safe from tick-borne infectionsWith millions around the world infected-and millions more at risk-Lyme and other tick-related disorders are today's fastest-growi...

View on Amazon

Biology of Ticks: Volume 1

Biology of Ticks is the most comprehensive work on tick biology and tick-borne diseases. This second edition is a multi-authored work, featuring the research and analyses of ren...

View on Amazon

Common sense dictates that you avoid tick-infected areas. Local health officials can help you identify them. If you're unsure, suspect woodlands, marshes, grassy areasand anywhere deer run free. You can check for tick infestation by dragging a stick with a white cloth attached to it through the underbrush in the area you intend to explore.

When you hike, keep your body covered. Wear a long-sleeved shirt that buttons at the wrist, long pants, and socks. Tuck the pants into the socks to prevent the ticks from crawling up your leg.

It's a good idea to wear white or light colored clothing because ticks are easier to spot against a light background. After your hike, be sure to examine your skin and your clothing thoroughly. And make sure that ticks don't hitch a ride home on your pet.

Ticks are fairly small until after they bite.

Then, engorged with blood, they resemble a blackened blood blister with legs.

If you do get bitten, the tick will hold on for dear life. The sooner you can remove the tick, the better.

Don't be squeamish about pulling out a little skin with it. The sacrifice is worth it, as fast action may prevent infection.

If you don't find any ticks when you and your partner check each other out, don't assume you're safe. The tick that causes Lyme disease is so tiny you may have a hard time spotting it, and a tick bite isn't likely to be painful enough to attract your attention.

Pay attention to your body for the next four weeks; if you find any rashes or red spots that you can't account for, have your doctor check them out. It's especially important to see your doctor if the rash is accompanied by flulike symptoms.

Depending upon the region and the type of tick, these troublesome little bugs can transmit a whole host of diseases with exotic-sounding names, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, tularemia, and babesiosis. Lyme disease is most common of all. The tick that causes it is so tiny most people don't even know they've been bitten until a rash resembling a bull's-eye shows up.

Rocky Mountain fever will give you a rash two to three days after the onset. Most likely it will break out on your wrists and ankles first, then spread to your trunk, palms, and soles of your feet. Colorado tick fever sets in three to five days after the bite. Expect recurring fever, chills, a headache, and perhaps nausea and vomiting as well.

FLEA + TICK Repellent Spray, 8-Ounce

Protect is a natural flea and tick repellant formulated by nature. Protect combines Brazilian oils derived from certified forests which act as a natural force field to shield pe...

View on Amazon

Ticked Off Pets Tick Remover, White

The ticked off tick remover is safe, effective and easy-to-use. A specially designed notch grabs the tick at skin level and removes it completely in one motion. Bowl-shaped end ...

View on Amazon

Mercola Natural Flea and Tick Defense 1 Bottle Spray

Natural Flea & Tick Defense is a natural pest deterrent made from natural Brazilian oils, expertly blended and balanced. So, what makes this formula so good? How does it stand o...

View on Amazon

Updated: 09/03/2013, health
 
Thank you! Would you like to post a comment now?
1

Comments

Only logged-in users are allowed to comment. Login
Rodger on 02/19/2013

Great photo! great article!

You might also like

Vitamin C

What Is Vitamin C?

Cancer

What causes cancer?

Acne

Acne is an inflammation of the skin centered in the Sebaceous Glands.


Disclosure: This page generates income for authors based on affiliate relationships with our partners, including Amazon, Google and others.
Loading ...
Error!