Ticks are small, blood-sucking bugs. They can range in size from as small as a pin’s head to as large as a pencil eraser. Ticks have eight legs. They are arachnids, which means they are related to spiders. The different kinds of ticks can range in color from shades of brown to reddish brown and black.
As they take in more blood, ticks become larger and larger. At their biggest, ticks can be about the size of a marble. After a tick has been feeding on its host for several days or weeks, they become engorged and can turn a greenish blue color.
Tick bites are usually harmless and may produce no symptoms.
However, if you are allergic to tick bites, you may experience pain or swelling at the bite site, a rash, burning sensation, blisters, or even difficulty breathing.
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 the first few weeks after a tick bite. Potential symptoms of tick-borne diseases include:
- red spot or rash near the bite site
- neck stiffness
- headache or nausea
- weakness
- muscle or joint pain or achiness
- fever or chills
- swollen lymph nodes
Be sure to seek medical attention immediately if a tick bite results in serious symptoms.
Stay tuned for more next week.