Raleigh, NC's Handy Guide To Tick Bites
February 11, 2021
There aren’t a lot of things more disconcerting than looking down and finding a tick latched on to your body. After all, ticks are parasites, capable of spreading numerous harmful bloodborne illnesses. Despite many Raleigh residents being aware of the dangers of ticks and their bites, many people do not actually know what to do should they find a tick somewhere on their body. Should you pull it off? Should you let it finish eating and fall off? Should you seek medical attention? These are all valid questions, and questions you need to know the answers to should you ever find a tick somewhere on your body.
What Do Ticks Look Like?
Ticks are arachnids, which means they are related to spiders. Adult ticks have eight legs. Ticks have flattened, ovoid-shaped bodies that are typically reddish-brown or dark brown in color. They might also have some other distinguishable characteristics based upon which species you are dealing with. For instance, black-legged ticks have, as their name might suggest, dark-colored legs. American dog ticks have whitish-gray markings on their bodies. Although ticks do have flattened bodies, after they feed on a blood meal, their bodies will engorge and swell up.
Are Ticks Dangerous?
Ticks are parasites which means they feed on the blood of animals. In doing so, they are capable of spreading all sorts of harmful bloodborne illnesses between hosts. It is important to know what steps you should take if you find a tick somewhere on your body or if you suspect you may have been bitten. Some diseases that ticks have been known to transmit include anaplasmosis, babesiosis, bourbon virus, Colorado tick fever, ehrlichiosis, Heartland virus, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and many more.
What Should You Do If You Are Bitten By A Tick?
If you find a tick somewhere on your body, the first thing you should do is try to remove it. However, do not just rip it off as this can cause further complications. Instead, try to use fine-point tweezers to gently remove the ticks from your skin. Do not jerk or twist the ticks and do your best not to crush or puncture the tick’s body as this can squeeze blood back into the wound. Once removed, dispose of the tick somewhere that it will not be a threat any longer.
Should You Seek Medical Attention If You Are Bitten By A Tick?
Although not every tick bite results in the transmission of disease, picking up a bloodborne illness from a tick bite is a possibility. As such, it is important to monitor the bite and your health if you find a tick on your body or if you suspect you have been bitten. If you do not see a tick on your body, you can identify the bite mark instead. Tick bites appear as small, red, raised bumps much like that of a mosquito. However, you will most likely only have one tick bite as opposed to several mosquito bites. Once you have located the bite mark, you need to monitor the mark for any adverse side effects. For instance, if a red, target-like rash appears around the bite, or if the bite looks as if it is becoming infected, seek medical attention immediately. Furthermore, you should also monitor your overall health after you have been bitten by a tick. If you experience fatigue, headaches, nausea, fever, or stiffness of the body, you should seek medical attention.
What Is The Best Way To Control Tick Populations Around Your Property?
To make your Greensboro property less attractive to ticks and tick-carrying wildlife, you need to partner with the professionals here at Go-Forth Pest Control for ongoing tick control. That way, you can get back to enjoying your Greensboro property without having to worry about picking up dangerous ticks. Don’t let ticks threaten the health and safety of your family. Give us a call right away.
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