Ticks are tiny, parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They can be as small as a poppy seed or slightly smaller than a dime, and they can grow even larger once they begin feeding. These quick crawlers don’t jump or fly but easily latch onto skin, fur, or clothing when you brush past them—often in brush-filled, wooded or grassy areas.
There are around 90 types of ticks found in the United States. Thankfully, only a small number bite humans and carry diseases. However, the ones that do can transmit serious viral and bacterial infections like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and more.
That’s why it’s important to know how to spot a tick bite, recognize symptoms, and take quick action.
In this blog post, we’ll cover where ticks typically bite, plus common tick bite symptoms to look out for. We’ll also learn how to safely remove a tick, prevention tips, and when it’s time to see a doctor.
What are tick bites?
Tick bites occur when a tick attaches itself to the skin and feeds on blood. Most bites are painless, and many people don’t even realize they’ve been bitten until they spot the tick or experience symptoms later on.
Out of all of the tick species in the U.S., only a few are known to bite humans and spread disease. These species include:
- American Dog Tick
- Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick)
- Brown Dog Tick
- Lone Star Tick
- Pacific Coast Tick
- Gulf Coast Ticks
- Rocky Mountain Wood Tick
- Western Blacklegged Tick
Each type is found in specific regions across the country and can carry different diseases.
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 bites include:
- The armpits
- The groin (in between the legs)
- Behind the knees
- Scalp
- 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. Most people only know a tick has bitten them after finding the parasite on their skin, or experiencing symptoms.
If left undisturbed, a tick will feed for 2-3 days and stay attached to the skin for as long as 10. Once the tick has finished feeding, it will detach itself from the skin to find its next host.
Tick bite symptoms
Not all tick bites cause symptoms, and not all ticks carry disease. However, some bites can lead to allergic reactions or early signs of infection that shouldn’t be ignored.
Common localized symptoms include:
- Redness or irritation at the bite site
- Mild swelling or pain at the bite site
- Itching or a small bump
Other early signs of tick bite infection or disease may include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain (a common early indicator of Lyme disease)
- Headaches
- Neck stiffness
- Fatigue
- Distinctive skin rashes
Symptoms can also vary based on the type of infection you’ve been exposed to. For example, Lyme disease is notable for its distinctive, bull's-eye-shaped rash (erythema migrans) and joint pain. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever causes a splotchy rash that damages blood vessels in the affected area.
Because symptoms can take days or even weeks to appear, it’s important to monitor your health closely after any known tick exposure.
Tick-borne illnesses (and the ticks that carry them)
Ticks can carry a range of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. The chart below highlights some of the main tickborne illnesses, which ticks spread them, where these ticks are commonly found, and common symptoms.
| Illness | Ticks That Carry It | Regions Where It's Common | Symptoms | When Symptoms Appear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaplasmosis and babesiosis | Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick) | Northeastern U.S., upper Midwestern U.S. | Flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headaches, body aches, and fatigue) | 7-14 days after a tick bite |
| Colorado Tick Fever | Rocky Mountain Wood Tick | Western U.S. | Flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, body aches, and fatigue) | 1-14 days after a tick bite |
| Ehrlichiosis | Lone Star Tick, Blacklegged tick (Deer tick), Western Blacklegged Tick, American Dog Tick | Southeastern U.S, Central U.S. | Rash, confusion, flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, body aches) | 7-14 days after a tick bite |
| Lyme Disease | Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick), Western Blacklegged Tick | Northeastern U.S., mid-Atlantic U.S., upper Midwestern U.S., Pacific Coast | Bullseye rash (occurs in about 70% of people), joint pain, fatigue, fever, and headache | 3-30 days after a tick bite |
| Relapsing Fever | Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick), Western Blacklegged Tick | Upper Midwestern U.S, Northeastern U.S, Pacific Coast | Flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, muscle and body aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting) | 3 days to 6 weeks after a tick bite |
| Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) | American Dog Tick, Rocky Mountain Wood Tick, Brown Dog Tick, Pacific Coast Tick | Southeastern U.S., Western U.S. | High fever, headache, rash (often splotchy or spotted), and nausea | 2-14 days after a tick bite |
| Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) | Lone Star Tick | Southeastern U.S. | Bullseye rash (similar to Lyme Disease), joint pain, fatigue, fever, and headache | 7 days after a tick bite |
| Tularemia | American Dog Tick, Lone Star Tick, Rocky Mountain Wood Tick | South central U.S., Pacific Northwestern U.S., and parts of Massachusetts | Fever, swollen or painful lymph nodes, sore throat, flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, muscle and body aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting) | 3-14 days after a tick bite |
The early signs of tick-borne illnesses can resemble other conditions (like the common cold or the flu). Because of this, it's important to seek medical care if you experience any symptoms after a tick bite, especially if you know the tick was attached for more than 24 hours.
How to safely remove a tick
If you find a tick on yourself or someone else, it’s important to remove it as soon as possible. The sooner it’s out, the lower the risk of disease transmission. Here’s how to do tick removal safely and correctly:
- Grab some fine-tipped tweezers and gently grasp the tick as close to the skin as you can. Try to get hold of its head or mouthparts (not just the body) and try not to crush its body.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking—it might cause parts of the tick to break off and stay in the skin.
- Once the tick is out, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. You should also apply antibacterial ointment to the bite to help prevent infection.
- Preserve the tick in a plastic bag or lidded jar to take to your doctor or a lab for tick disease testing. Keep in mind that a positive result from the tick doesn't guarantee that you were infected. However, it does mean you should watch for symptoms and talk to your doctor if anything feels off.
- If you don’t plan on taking the tick for testing, flush it down the toilet.
After removing the tick, monitor the bite site for 30 days. You should seek medical attention if you notice symptoms such as a rash, persistent headaches, neck stiffness, muscle pain, fever, or fatigue.
How to prevent tick bites
While ticks are most active from April through September, bites can happen year-round. However, tick bites are largely avoidable with a few smart precautions.
To help protect yourself:
- Avoid wooded areas or areas with tall grass
- Walk in the center of trails to avoid contact with brush
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored clothing to spot ticks more easily
- If possible, tuck your pants into your socks to prevent ticks from crawling up your legs
- Apply a bug spray with DEET
- Spray all clothing, shoes, tents, and outdoor gear with an insect repellent that contains 0.5% permethrin
- Do regular tick checks on yourself, children, and pets
Remember that ticks aren’t just found on trails; they can show up in your backyard, too. After any outdoor activities, check your body and clothing. Toss clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any hidden ticks (damp clothes may take longer).
Showering within 2 hours of coming back inside is also recommended. This will wash off unattached ticks and gives you a chance to do a full tick check on your body.
When to see a doctor about a tick bite
Even if you don’t have any symptoms, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor if you’ve been bitten by a tick. They can conduct blood tests to screen for any diseases. Early detection can help prevent more serious health issues from progressing.
Talk to your doctor if your tick bite becomes red, swollen, warm, or starts oozing. These are usually signs of infection.
You should also seek medical attention right away if you develop flu-like symptoms (fever, fatigue, or muscle aches) within a few days or weeks after the bite. If you’re having difficulty breathing or facial drooping, head to an ER immediately.
How Sesame can help
If you think you may have been bitten by a tick, book a same-day online tick bite visit on Sesame.
You’ll be able to discuss your symptoms with a licensed healthcare provider who can determine next steps and treatment. If medication is prescribed as part of your treatment plan, your prescription will be sent to your local pharmacy right away for pick up.
