How Ticks Can Make You Sick
Tick-borne Diseases and Prevention Measures
Ticks can transmit various infections, such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and more. It is important to be vigilant and take steps to prevent tick bites.
CDC warns about increasing prevalence of tick-borne diseases Ticks, despite their small size and inconspicuous appearance, can pose a significant risk to humans and pets by causing infectious diseases like Lyme disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that the number of disease-carrying ticks is rising, likely due to climate change, and their geographic range is expanding.
Ticks of concern in the United States The CDC identifies several tick species in the US that are problematic, including deer, brown dog, American dog, lone star, Rocky Mountain wood, Gulf Coast, and western black-legged ticks. These blood-sucking insects not only transmit Lyme disease but also other infections such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis.
Preventing tick bites To minimize the risk of Lyme disease and other infections, it is crucial to prevent tick bites. Use insect repellent containing DEET or EPA-approved alternatives on your skin. Treat clothing and equipment with 0.5 percent permethrin products. Opt for long-sleeved shirts and long pants, preferably light-colored, to easily identify ticks. Stay in the center of trails to avoid contact with tick-infested vegetation. After outdoor activities, thoroughly check your skin and examine your pets for ticks or signs of tick bites.
Safe tick removal and when to seek medical attention If you find a tick embedded in your skin, use fine-tip tweezers to remove it. Grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible and pull steadily upward, ensuring the complete removal of its body, including mouth parts. Wash the bite site and your hands thoroughly. Even if a tick is not visible, consult a doctor if you experience symptoms such as rash, fever, chills, or headache after potential tick exposure.
Deer Ticks and Lyme Disease
Deer ticks, also known as black-legged ticks, are commonly found in wooded and grassy areas in the eastern United States. These ticks are reddish-brown adults, measuring only one-eighth of an inch in length. Even the tiny immature ticks, similar in size to a poppy seed, can bite.
When deer ticks carry the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, they can transmit Lyme disease to humans, dogs, and cats. It is often difficult to notice the tick or its bite. However, if you do find a tick, it’s important to remove it within 48 hours to reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease. In some cases, the first symptom of Lyme disease is a rash that resembles a bull’s-eye, like the one shown in the image above at the site of a tick bite. This rash may appear within one to two weeks, but not everyone develops or notices it, especially those with darker skin tones. Additional signs of Lyme disease include flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
If you experience any of these symptoms and suspect a tick bite, seek medical attention for diagnosis and treatment. Lyme disease is often curable, but if left untreated, it can lead to long-term complications such as headaches, stiffness, arthritis, and irregular heartbeat.
Black-legged ticks can also transmit other bacterial infections like anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis, according to the CDC. Early signs of infection include fever, headache, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues like nausea or vomiting. The Powassan virus and babesiosis are additional diseases that can result from a black-legged tick bite, as noted by the CDC.
Babesiosis, caused by the parasite Babesia, invades and destroys red blood cells, as stated by the Cleveland Clinic. Although babesiosis is less common than Lyme disease, its diagnosis has increased due to heightened awareness and the influence of climate change. Babesiosis can range from mild or asymptomatic to flu-like symptoms such as low-grade fever, malaise, and body aches. The disease poses a greater risk to immunocompromised individuals, the elderly, and those without a spleen, an organ responsible for filtering blood. In some cases, black-legged ticks can transmit both babesiosis and Lyme disease simultaneously.
Powassan Virus Disease: Mild or Symptom-Free, Says CDC
According to the CDC, similar to babesiosis, Powassan virus disease can manifest with mild symptoms or remain asymptomatic. Common signs include fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness. In rare instances of severe illness, the virus may invade the brain, resulting in encephalitis. Although no specific treatments are available, the disease typically resolves naturally through rest and over-the-counter pain relievers.
Brown Dog Ticks and Pet Diseases
These ticks are commonly found throughout the United States and primarily target dogs. While they rarely bite humans, their bites can pose significant risks to pets, causing diseases such as canine ehrlichiosis, bartonellosis (bacterial infections), and babesiosis. Watch out for symptoms like fever, depression, weight loss, and lameness in your dog, indicating a tick-borne disease. Consult your veterinarian to learn about the warning signs of such infections.
Brown dog ticks can infest both your house and your dog’s kennel. If your dog has been outside in these areas, check regularly and thoroughly for ticks. Remember that brown dog ticks tend to hide, so inspect under rugs, behind draperies, under radiators, and in cracks to determine if there is an infestation. It is best to hire an exterminator to eliminate them effectively. For tick removal, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to its mouth as possible. Dispose of the tick properly and clean the bite area and your hands thoroughly.
American Dog Ticks and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
The American dog tick, also known as the wood tick, feeds on humans, dogs, and other animals while transmitting infectious diseases. During its lifecycle, this tick targets mice and rodents in its early stages, and later targets humans and pets. Adult American dog ticks are reddish brown and approximately half an inch long. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that these ticks are found east of the Rocky Mountains and along parts of the Pacific coast.
When bitten by an American dog tick, both humans and pets can contract Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This disease is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii. These ticks can also transmit tularemia, a bacterial infection, and may cause tick paralysis due to their saliva. Bite marks from these ticks might exhibit discoloration. Symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever include fever, headache, body aches, swelling around the eyes or back of hands, nausea, vomiting, and a rash that typically develops 3 to 12 days after the bite (although some patients do not develop a rash). Delayed treatment of this disease can be fatal, but timely administration of the antibiotic doxycycline is usually effective. If you have been exposed to ticks and experience any of these symptoms, it is essential to consult your doctor promptly.
Lone Star Ticks and Tularemia
Lone star ticks, found in regions ranging from west-central Texas to the coast of Maine, are approximately one-third of an inch long and brown or tan in color. Females have a white spot on their backs, while males have scattered spots or lines on their bodies. These ticks can bite during any stage of their three-year life cycle.
According to the CDC, lone star ticks can transmit ehrlichiosis and tularemia. Tularemia symptoms include skin rash or ulcer, high fever, and swollen lymph nodes. The infection can be treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can be fatal.
Lone star tick bites can also lead to southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), similar to Lyme disease symptoms. STARI is characterized by a bull’s-eye rash at the bite site, usually appearing within a few days and expanding up to three inches across. While STARI causes body aches, fever, and fatigue like Lyme disease, it does not have the same long-term effects.
Lone star ticks have been known to transmit the rare Heartland virus, which was first identified in Missouri in 2009. As of November 2022, over 60 cases have been reported in various states across the Midwest, Northeast, and South of the United States. Infection results in fever, headaches, low platelet and white blood cell counts, and currently, there is no specific treatment available.
The CDC highlights that some individuals bitten by lone star ticks may experience allergic reactions to consuming red meat, known as alpha-gal syndrome (AGS). This emerging health threat has seen more than 90,000 suspected cases documented in the U.S. between 2017 and 2022. While alpha-gal syndrome is commonly associated with lone star ticks, other tick species have not been ruled out.
Alpha-gal is a sugar molecule present in red meat and dairy products. Individuals with alpha-gal syndrome may not have an allergic reaction every time they consume red meat, and their allergies may be limited to specific types of red meats.
Allergies and their Symptoms
Allergic reactions encompass various symptoms such as hives, rash, nausea, difficulty breathing, as well as swelling of the lips, tongue, eyelids, and throat. Healthcare professionals generally advise individuals with alpha-gal syndrome to steer clear of red meat. In certain scenarios, avoidance of dairy and gelatin may also be recommended.
Rocky Mountain Wood Ticks and Colorado Tick Fever
The Rocky Mountain wood tick, found in the northwestern US and Canada, feeds on small rodents when young and targets deer, dogs, livestock, and humans as adults. These ticks can transmit various diseases, including Colorado tick fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick paralysis, and tularemia. Symptoms of Colorado tick fever resemble those of the flu, causing fatigue, body aches, and chills. Although the illness usually resolves on its own, there is currently no specific treatment available.
Gulf Coast Ticks and Spotted Fever
The Gulf Coast tick, found in the southern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, including Oklahoma and Texas, can transmit Rickettsia parkeri bacteria. This bacterium causes a milder form of Rocky Mountain spotted fever known as spotted fever. Symptoms, such as a pimple-like bite, headache, rash, and fever, typically appear within 2 to 10 days after being bitten. Antibiotic treatment is usually effective in clearing the infection.
Western Black-Legged Ticks and Anaplasmosis
The western black-legged tick, found in the western United States and British Columbia, is a small tick that feeds on rodents and lizards during its early stages. As an adult, it poses a risk to humans, pets, deer, and other large mammals. This type of tick is known to transmit various diseases, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.
Anaplasmosis, caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, can lead to flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that delaying antibiotic treatment or having a weakened immune system can make anaplasmosis particularly severe and potentially life-threatening.
To minimize the risk of contracting Lyme disease or anaplasmosis from a bite by a western black-legged tick, it is important to promptly remove any embedded ticks. It is recommended by the CDC to use tweezers for removal rather than relying on home remedies such as matches, nail polish, or petroleum jelly. It is crucial to remove the entire tick, and using tweezers is considered the most effective method. The CDC also advises saving the tick so that your doctor can identify it, as different types of ticks carry different diseases.
