How can ticks harm you

Some ticks carry diseases, which can be passed on when they bite. Tick-borne diseases can cause a variety of symptoms and usually develop within several days to a few weeks after a tick bite. Potential symptoms of tick-borne diseases include:. Be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible if bitten by a tick in order to be evaluated for any potential treatment.

Tick bites are often easy to identify. This is because the tick can remain attached to the skin for up to 10 days after it first bites. Most tick bites are harmless and will cause no physical signs or symptoms. Only certain types of ticks transmit disease. Most signs or symptoms of a tick-borne disease will begin to occur within a few days to a few weeks after a tick bite. For example, in areas of the country where Lyme disease is common, it may be recommended under certain conditions that you receive treatment for Lyme disease after a tick bite even before symptoms start.

Let your doctor know that a tick recently bit you. Your doctor will complete a thorough history, exam, and testing to determine whether your symptoms are the result of a tick-borne disease. A tick may attach itself to your pet, too. Ticks can also leave you and attach themselves to your pets.

Various kinds of ticks exist in large populations throughout the country. Most states have at least one type of tick known to live there. Ticks are at their peak population in the spring and summer months, typically April through September. The most important thing to do when you find a tick on you is to remove it.

You can remove the tick yourself with a tick removal tool or with a set of tweezers. Follow these steps:. See your doctor as soon as possible to find out if any treatment is necessary based on the type of tick that bit you. Different parts of the country have different risks when it comes to diseases from tick bites.

Preventing tick bites is the best way to avoid a tick-borne illness. It typically takes over 24 hours of feeding for a tick carrying disease to infect a person. So, the sooner a tick can be identified and removed, the better. Freeze it; Don't squeeze it! That's the latest advice from experts to Australians who have an attached adult tick. Tick removal: First aid and prevention. Read more on myDr website. Read more on Department of Health website.

Allergic reactions to ticks range from mild with large local swelling and inflammation at the site of a tick bite to severe anaphylaxis. To prevent allergic reactions to ticks do NOT forcibly remove the tick. The options are to: Seek medical assistance to remove the tick; OR Kill the tick first by using a product that rapidly freezes the tick, to prevent it from injecting more allergen-containing saliva, then remove it as soon as practical and in as safe a setting as possible.

Read more on NSW Health website. ASCIA promotes and advances the study and knowledge of immune and allergic diseases, including asthma. Information on general firs aid for bites and stings. Up-to-date advice to assist in the management of poisonings.

Call 13 11 Read more on Queensland Health website. Read more on Better Health Channel website. Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness. Find out about the symptoms of Lyme disease, diagnosis, tests and treatment. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection affecting the skin and possibly the joints, nervous system and other body parts. Lyme disease also known as Lyme borreliosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through tick bites.

It is a potentially multi-systemic condition that may lead to serious symptoms if left untreated. It is predominantly caused by four types of bacteria in the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group. Read more on Ausmed Education website. Healthdirect Australia is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.

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Thank you for sharing our content. A message has been sent to your recipient's email address with a link to the content webpage. Your name: is required Error: This is required. Your email: is required Error: This is required Error: Not a valid value. Send to: is required Error: This is required Error: Not a valid value. On this page What are ticks and tick bites? What are the different types of tick bites? What are the symptoms of tick bites?

What should I do after a tick bite? You can help protect yourself and your family against tick and insect bites by following these tips when you spend time in an area where ticks may live:.

Borrelia burgdorferi , the organism that causes Lyme disease, has been found in ticks collected from many areas of British Columbia, and dozens of Lyme disease cases have been identified in the past 15 years. Many people with Lyme disease have not travelled outside of the province, and it is likely they contracted the disease in B. Not all ticks carry the bacteria for Lyme Disease, and there is only a very small chance of ticks giving it to you.

However, since Lyme disease is such a serious disease, it is worth taking steps to avoid being bitten. All of these diseases are rare in British Columbia. Certain ticks may release a toxin that can cause temporary paralysis.

For this reason it is important to remove the whole tick as soon as possible. If you have the following symptoms within days or weeks after being bitten by a tick, report them to your health care provider right away. Tell your health care provider when and where a tick bit you. Lyme disease and other tick-related diseases can be treated with antibiotics.

Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications. Skip to main content. Last Updated:. March Download PDF:. What are ticks? What should I do if I find a tick on my skin? When to see a health care provider to remove the tick See your health care provider to remove the tick if it has buried itself deep into your skin.

How to remove a tick yourself If you can remove the tick yourself, follow these instructions. Use tweezers to gently get a hold of the tick as close to its mouth as possible.

The body of the tick will be above your skin. Do not touch the tick with your bare hands. Wear gloves if possible. Steadily lift the tick straight off the skin. Do not squeeze the tick because this can force its stomach contents into the wound and increase the chance of an infection. Do not jerk, unscrew or twist the tick because this may separate the head from the body.