After walking outdoors, some are likely to notice a small dot on the skin and upon closer inspection, it is a tick. In most cases, tick bites are not usually noticed, but can trigger itchiness at the site of the bite. On the other hand, if it is a deer tick or black-legged tick, there is the potential to transmit Lyme disease.
Check the body for any ticks
Tick bites are easily identified since the tick is still attached on the skin. You will know that it is a tick if it is either wide and flat or engorged. Ticks progress from one state to the other as they feed. Another indication is that ticks are the only insects that keep its mouth in your skin and latches on it.
Removing the tick
As the initial first aid measure, you have to remove the tick using tweezers that has a fine tip. With the help of the tweezers, hold the head of the tick, getting as close to the skin as possible and then pull it out straight. Avoid twisting or breaking the tick if possible. Afterwards, you have to clean the skin using warm water and soap. Based on studies, it is not advised to use petroleum jelly, a hot match or other products to remove the tick.
Assessing the anatomy of the tick
It is important to note that hard ticks usually have shielded bodies with heads and mouths that are visible from above. As for the soft ticks, they should be the types that you should be concerned with since they bury their heads into the skin while their soft bodies become engorged with blood. By determining the type of tick, it will help doctors identify what diseases the individual has been exposed to via a bite.
You can utilize a magnifying glass to provide you with a closer and detailed view of the tick. The deer ticks or black-legged ticks are characterized for their brown, tear-like shaped bodies with three black-colored legs that points backward and two front legs facing forward. The lone star tick gained its name due to its tiny white dot or star formation on its back. This tick carries a disease called as the Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI) which is similar to the Lyme disease but has other causes and management. As for dog ticks, they are solid brown except for their small-sized black heads. These ticks do not usually carry diseases but can be carriers of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Important considerations to bear in mind
You have to monitor the bite site and overall health of the individual. Lyme disease typically starts with a red and white ringed rash around the site of the bite. Vomiting and fever are also possible. Take note that Lyme disease can be easily treated at its early stages, but can eventually become resistant to treatment and detrimental to the body if left untreated.