Ticks bites are usually a common nightmare of summer, but they don't have to be. There are many ways to avoid these small insects, as well as safe ways to remove one that does embed itself in your skin. Ticks can transmit diseases, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, so it’s worth steering clear of bites, if possible. There are about 850 species of ticks worldwide. These critters range in size from nearly invisible to the size of a pencil eraser. Most ticks go through four life stages, growing larger as they age.
Source
Where do ticks bite people?
Ticks prefer warm and moist areas of the body. Once a tick gets on your body, they’re likely to migrate to your armpits, groin, or hair. When they’re in a desirable spot, they bite into your skin and begin drawing blood. Unlike most other bugs that bite, ticks typically remain attached to your body even after biting you. If one bites you, you’ll likely know because you’ll have found a tick on your skin. After a period of 10 days of drawing blood from your body, an engorged tick can detach itself and simply fall off.
Symptoms
Unfortunately, the tick bite is usually painless and remains that way even after the tick stops the blood meal and falls off of the skin. Later, the bite site may develop
Long sleeves and long pants are good protection against ticks. The insecticide permethrin can be sprayed on clothing or gear and kills ticks on contact. Deet is also an effective repellant. As a bonus, both of these chemicals keep mosquitoes away, too.
Check yourself and any pets for ticks after coming in from outdoors, especially if you've been in woody or grassy areas. If you do find a tick attached to your skin, use fine-tipped tweezers and grab the arachnid as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward evenly and steadily. The goal is to remove the tick whole, without breaking its mouthparts off in your skin.
Source
Where do ticks bite people?
Ticks prefer warm and moist areas of the body. Once a tick gets on your body, they’re likely to migrate to your armpits, groin, or hair. When they’re in a desirable spot, they bite into your skin and begin drawing blood. Unlike most other bugs that bite, ticks typically remain attached to your body even after biting you. If one bites you, you’ll likely know because you’ll have found a tick on your skin. After a period of 10 days of drawing blood from your body, an engorged tick can detach itself and simply fall off.
Symptoms
Unfortunately, the tick bite is usually painless and remains that way even after the tick stops the blood meal and falls off of the skin. Later, the bite site may develop
- itching,
- burning,
- redness or red spot, and
- rarely, localized intense pain like in the joints in some individuals.
Long sleeves and long pants are good protection against ticks. The insecticide permethrin can be sprayed on clothing or gear and kills ticks on contact. Deet is also an effective repellant. As a bonus, both of these chemicals keep mosquitoes away, too.
Check yourself and any pets for ticks after coming in from outdoors, especially if you've been in woody or grassy areas. If you do find a tick attached to your skin, use fine-tipped tweezers and grab the arachnid as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward evenly and steadily. The goal is to remove the tick whole, without breaking its mouthparts off in your skin.
