A :
B :
C :
D :
E :
F :
G :
H :
I :
J :
K :
L :
M :
N :
O :
P :
Q :
R :
S :
T :
U :
V :
W :
X :
Y :
Z
Tick Bite
Medical Questions » Tick Bite
| Name: Tick Bite |
| Also known as: |
| Ticks are distantly related to spiders. They have a round black body from which mouth parts protrude and grasp the skin, but do not have a head as such. The tube-like mouth part pierces the skin to suck up blood, and when full it drops off to digest its meal, then waits sometimes for more than a year, for its next victim. They feed from almost any warm-blooded animal, although some species preferentially attack certain animals. They are more active in spring and summer and are usually found on the head, burrowing in amongst the hair, or in body crevices. |
Causes of Tick Bite
Bite from any one of a number of different species of tick. |
Symptoms of Tick Bite
Usually only painful irritation and a raised lump on the skin at the bite site. In children or severe cases there may be a pins and needles sensation around the bite, nausea, double vision, unsteadiness, and eventually weakness and difficulty in moving the limb. |
Tests for Tick Bite
None normally necessary. |
Treatment for Tick Bite
To remove a tick, wash it and the surrounding skin with an alcohol solution (eg. methylated spirits). Place a pair of tweezers flat on the skin so that the jaws are on either side of the tick. Grasp the tick firmly, as close to the skin as possible, twist through 90 degrees, and then lift off. The tick will come away easily with minimal pain. Some tiny black marks, the mouth parts, may be left behind, but rarely cause any trouble. Antiseptic cream or lotion may be put on the bite.
|
Complications of Tick Bite of its treatment
If the bite area becomes red and angry, it may have become infected by a bacteria. Rarely in children a tick bite may lead to paralysis of the face and breathing apparatus. Very rarely death occurs in infants. |
Likely Outcome of Tick Bite
Bite heals without scarring over a couple of days. |
|
|
