Ticks are tiny, parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of humans and animals. There are over 900 species of tick, many of which are found in the United States. Of this diversity, only a few types of tick actually bite and spread pathogens like viruses and bacteria that cause disease.
Ticks can range in size from almost microscopic to slightly smaller than a dime. As a tick feeds on blood, it expands. When the tick’s body fills with blood, it changes color. These arachnids are generally reddish-brown, with eight legs and a “shield” (known as a scutum)—a hardened plate on the dorsal surface of the tick.
The most common types of ticks found in the United States are:
- The American Dog Tick (also known as a “wood tick”)
- The Blacklegged “Deer” Tick
- The Brown Dog Tick
- The Lone Star Tick
- The Pacific Coast Tick
- The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick
- The Western Black Legged Tick
Each of these species lives in different areas and possesses various physical characteristics. The Lone Star tick, for example, is notable for a single white dot at the center of its body. Different species of tick also carry various pathogens, causing varying diseases.
While many tick bites are harmless and do not cause any symptoms, bites from a tick can cause an allergic reaction. As noted above, many ticks also carry harmful pathogens that, when introduced into the bloodstream, can cause conditions like Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI). Because of this, tick bite identification, symptom monitoring, and treatment are crucial in preventing serious complications.
Where Ticks Are Found
Ticks are highly common across the United States. Species like the American dog tick, “Deer” tick, Brown dog tick, and Lone Star tick are mostly found in the Eastern and Southern states. The Rocky Mountain wood tick is generally found in the mountainous Western regions of the United States (Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and the eastern parts of Washington and Oregon). The Western black-legged and Pacific Coast ticks are primarily found in California and Southern Oregon.
Ticks live in grassy or wooded areas. They also inhabit shrubs, piles of leaves, or the fur of animals. Ticks are commonly transmitted between pets and their owners, taking up residence in the pet's fur and grabbing onto the skin via human-to-animal contact. Ticks do not jump or fly but are quick crawlers and easily attach themselves to skin, fur, or clothing when brushed up against.
Where Ticks Bite
While ticks can attach themselves to any part of your body, they tend to gravitate toward warm, moist areas.
Common areas for tick infestation include:
- The armpits
- The groin (in between the legs)
- Behind the knees
- Hair
- The belly button (or around the waist)
- Inside and around the ears
Once a tick reaches a spot it likes, it attaches itself to the skin and draws blood. It is extremely unlikely that you will actually feel the bite as it occurs. Most people only know a tick has bitten them by finding the parasite on their skin, or experiencing symptoms after it has fed. Unlike other organisms, a tick will stay attached to the skin after it has bitten you.
If left undisturbed, a tick will feed for 2-3 days and stay attached to the skin for as long as 10. Once the engorged tick has finished feeding, it will detach itself from the skin to find its next host.
Tick Bite Symptoms
Many tick bites are harmless and do not cause any symptoms. In other cases, a tick bite can cause an allergic reaction that results in symptoms.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to a tick bite include:
- A small, painful, and swollen bump at the bite site
- Blistering at the bite site
- Skin rash
- Shortness of breath (in case of a severe allergic reaction)
Not all ticks carry disease. However, certain species like the “Deer” tick, American dog tick, and Rocky Mountain wood tick are very likely to carry pathogens that cause disease. For instance, 1 in 3 Blacklegged “Deer” ticks are estimated to carry Lyme disease. That does not mean that 1 in 3 people bitten by a “Deer” tick will get Lyme disease, but the bacteria is highly common in this particular species of tick.
A tick must remain attached to the body for several hours before spreading disease. A tick generally takes a few hours to transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Similarly, a tick must be attached to its host for 36–48 hours to spread Lyme disease. As such, early detection of a tick on the skin can significantly reduce the risk of contracting one of these illnesses.
Common symptoms of a tick-borne illness include:
Fever Chills Muscle pain Joint pain (a common early indicator of Lyme disease) Headaches Neck stiffness Fatigue Distinctive skin rashes
The specific symptoms of tick-borne disease vary. Lyme disease is notable for its distinctive, bulls-eye-shaped rash and joint pain, while Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever causes a splotchy rash that damages blood vessels in the affected area.
If you suspect a tick has bitten you or experience the symptoms listed above, seek medical attention immediately. Diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease are more easily treated the earlier they are detected, so it is crucial to be seen as quickly as possible.
Tick Removal
If you find a tick on you, you should try to remove it immediately. Doing so will minimize your chances of contracting a tick-borne illness. If you're experiencing the symptoms of an allergic reaction, do not remove the tick on your own and seek medical attention right away.
To remove a tick:
- Use a pair of tweezers to pull the tick away from your skin, being careful not to crush the body of the parasite
- Pull the tick straight up and away from the skin; do not twist or bend the tick
- Be careful not to touch the tick with your bare hands or crush the body of the tick, as this can expose you to harmful bacteria
- Flush the tick down the toilet or submerge it in rubbing alcohol
- Wash the bitten area with hot water and soap
- Apply antibacterial ointment to the affected area to help prevent infection
If you are going to see a medical professional about a tick bite, preserve the tick in a plastic bag or lidded jar for evidence. Keeping the tick preserved allows the health care provider to identify the species of tick that bit you, which can help determine what diseases or complications you may be at risk for. There are a number of laboratories that you can send the tick to so that it can be tested specifically for Lyme disease. Having this result come back negative can help you avoid unnecessary treatment or start treatment early if ‘positive’.
Whether or not you see a health care provider, monitor the bite site for 30 days after removing the tick. Seek medical attention if you notice symptoms such as a rash, persistent headaches, neck stiffness, muscle pain, fever, or fatigue.
Tick Bite Prevention
Ticks live in very grassy or heavily wooded areas. Some people are bitten in their own backyard. Most people are exposed to ticks during the warmer months (April–September), although tick bites can happen anytime.
Some tips to prevent tick bites include:
- Avoiding wooded areas or areas with tall grass
- Walking in the center of nature trails to avoid contact with brush
- Wearing light-colored clothing when going outdoors (so it's easier to spot a tick)
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when going outdoors
- Applying an insect repellant with DEET
- Spraying all clothing, shoes, tents, and outdoor gear with an insect repellant that contains 0.5% permethrin
- Checking regularly for ticks
Check your body and clothes for ticks after coming inside from a hike, a walk around the neighborhood, or yard work. If you find a tick on your clothes, tumble dry on high heat for 10 minutes to kill the tick. If your clothes are damp, it may take a little longer.
If you have a pet, examine their fur after bringing them inside. Check your tools and gear. Showering within 2 hours of coming back inside is recommended. A shower offers the opportunity to do a tick check on your body and will wash off unattached ticks.
If you think you may have been exposed to a tick, or are experiencing worrying symptoms like a skin rash, book an online doctor visit on Sesame to discuss your symptoms and possible treatment options with a licensed health care provider. Tick-borne illnesses are more easily treated the earlier they are caught. Save up to 60% on your appointment when you book through Sesame and get started on treatment right away.
