You may have thought that a tick can do you no harm, but it turns out that ticks are the worst health offenders.
A simple tick bite isn’t as harmless as you may have previously believed. It can pose dangerous risks to your health which is why it is important to be aware of the dangers.
Just going out on the porch, you are at risk of being bitten by ticks. While threats come and go, these are not only dangerous but increasing in number.
Keep reading to learn all the dangers of tick bites and what to do if bitten.
What To Do If You Get Bitten by Ticks?
If you get bitten by a tick, it’s important that you remove the tick as soon as possible because it can transmit diseases if they stay attached for too long.
If the tick has not yet attached itself to your skin, use tweezers to grab the head of the tick and pull upward steadily until it comes out completely. If it’s already attached itself, do not squeeze or twist it but instead wash it with soap and water or alcohol before removing it with tweezers.
If you cannot easily remove the tick, you may apply an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly. If it’s too painful to remove the tick yourself, you should go to your doctor for assistance.
Risks From Tick Bites
Ticks live in tall grasses or low-lying vegetation near wooded areas or fields with animals such as deer or livestock.
Ticks feed on blood by latching onto a host’s skin and sucking its blood until it’s full. Since tick bites have risks, it’s important for you to be aware of them so you can take proper precautions.
They occasionally bite other body parts like the arms or legs. The bite of a tick is not painful but can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
The most common ticks are deer ticks (Ixodes Scapularis), dog ticks (Rhipicephalus Sanguineus), and brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus Sanguineus). These species of tick can carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and other diseases.
Fever, chills, a headache, and a stiff neck are common accompanying symptoms that linger for three to fourteen days.
If a person who’s been bitten is unaware of the bite and does not treat the infection within 2 to 5 days, it may spread to other organs and cause death.
How Do You Avoid Getting a Tick Bite?
The best way to prevent tick bites is to wear long sleeves and pants when you are in wooded or grassy areas. You should also use insect repellent when you are in these areas.
Also, avoid stepping barefoot on the ground in areas where ticks are easily accessible such as parks, boat ramps, beaches, and gardens.
Ticks are not only found outside but also inside houses. This is why you should consider getting tick exterminator services in order to keep you and your family safe. Your home should be a source of protection, not danger.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
A simple tick bite can be a serious health hazard, and prevention is the best medicine. They may be common, but they carry great health risks that are dangerous to your health and your family.
In case you’ve been bitten by a tick, be sure to follow the guide above on what to do with it. Don’t wait to seek medical attention if you think the bite may be infected!
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