What To Do If You Get A Tick Bite
In most cases, tick bites do not cause more damage than a little redness, itching and swelling of the skin around the bite. However, ticks can transmit diseases through their bites if they remain on the skin for a long time. If this happens, it is important to seek medical attention.
What to do with tick bites?
As I said, tick bites usually do not cause disease. However, the saliva of female ticks may contain a poison that causes what is called Lyme disease, if the tick remains attached to a person’s skin for several days.
Symptoms of tick bites
Below is a list of the symptoms that tick bites usually cause. Of course, the symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people experience only one symptom while others may experience many different ones.
- Swelling of the skin around the bite
- Pinkish-red skin around the area
- Headache
- Hard to breathe
- Impaired muscle coordination
- Rash all over the body
- Total paralysis
- Fever
Steps to follow if you have received a tick bite
If you notice that you have been bitten by a tick, there are a number of steps you should take immediately to get rid of the parasite.
Remove with tweezers
Use tweezers with a narrow tip to remove the insect. Aim for the tick’s mouth – the part that is closest to the person’s skin. It is important not to mash the tick’s body.
When removing the tick, be slow and pull perpendicular to the skin. Never use sudden movements or twisting movements. It is tolerable to say again – it is very important not to mash the tick’s body.
Do not use products such as nail polish remover, Vaseline or any other substance in an attempt to improve extraction. It can actually make things worse.
Sometimes a part of the tick can come loose and get stuck in an individual’s skin. If it is the tick’s mouth area, you should inform your doctor. In this way, he or she can try to remove the remains with a small incision in the area. If another part of the tick’s body is stuck in the skin, the individual’s body can push it out on its own within a few days.
Save the tick
If you have the opportunity to save the tick, do so. Put it in a sealed bag or put it in the freezer until you can see a doctor. This will allow the doctor to identify the type of tick, which means he or she may be able to make a more complete diagnosis.
Disinfection
Once you have completed the extraction process, you should follow the steps below:
- Wash your hands with soap and water. If you have cleansing gel or rubbing alcohol, use it as well.
- Wash the affected area with soap and water. Again, disinfect the bite zone with rubbing alcohol.
- Keep the affected area clean at all times.
- Do not itch.
- Apply a cold compress to the affected area.
How to prevent tick bites from occurring
Ticks are common in forest areas as well as grassy areas with wild grass and shrubs. Therefore, you should wear long sleeves and long pants if you go out to the country. This will help keep ticks away from your skin.
It is also a good idea to attach your pants to your socks. Even if you are wearing trousers, these insects can easily find their way into your skin if the trousers are open at the bottom. If you squeeze your pants into your socks, you will block their way in and thus protect yourself.
It is also important to use insect repellent. Spray not only on your skin, but also on the clothes you should wear while you are out. This provides more complete protection. You should apply insect repellent up to every or every two hours so that the effect stays the same. That way, you can be sure to have continuous protection.
If you have animals in your home , you should treat them for parasites regularly to avoid spreading. This is especially true for cats and dogs, as the most common type of tick often gets stuck in their fur.
