Certain regions are also prone to greater or more ferocious insects and bugs. Some insects are migrating and making a nest in the new territory while wreaking havoc. Ticks continue to be a threat to humans and animals throughout the United States and around the globe. Learn more about ticks and how to avoid them by continuing to read more details below.
What is Arachnid Parasite?
A tick is part of the arachnid parasitic family. They measure approximately 3 to 5 mm based on their sex or species. A tick is an external parasite that feeds on blood.
The greatest threat most species of ticks pose is by feeding on blood. They feed on the blood of humans, pets, birds, and occasionally amphibians. A tick has a life expectancy of three months to three years. However, the life of a tick is in cycles and depends on its species. Ticks feed on the blood of both children and adults.
Where They are in US
Researchers and government officials like the Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) often times measure the extent of ticks by region. Furthermore, in terms of species, there are American dogs, Gulf-coast, and Mountain wood ticks.
Many ticks are found on the Eastern side of the United States. Pennsylvania had the highest number of reported tick bites in 2020, according to Pet MD online. In the Western part of the U.S., the brown dog tick is very common.
What is Tick Bite?
If you see a tick feeding on your skin, you know you’ve been bitten. However, if the tick is no longer feeding, a tick bite will always resemble a rash or a bump. Infected individuals and pets, may have a raised hump on their skin that’s often times painless. Online pharmacy reviews 2022 have unique content on tick bites and how to treat them.
These symptoms are also prevalent in animals that are bitten by a tick. If you suspect you or someone you know has been bitten by a tick, you should talk to your doctor right away.
What is Lyme Disease?
According to the “Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Lyme disease is a very common vector-borne disease in the United States”. It’s also known for being caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and other forms of the bacterium Borrelia mayonii.
The symptoms of Lyme disease include:
- rash, fever, fatigue
- muscle/joint pain
- swollen lymph nodes
- facial paralysis, arthritis
After a tick bite, the symptoms of the bite or Lyme disease can start to manifest within 3 to 13 days. If left untreated, Lyme disease can have devastating results. Online pharmacy reviews 2022 are available with more details.
Note: Lyme disease is caused by a tick bite from a tick infected with the bacterium mentioned above.
Take a look at the short video clip below to learn more about Lyme disease.
What is USDA Saying about Tick Bites?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), recently did an article called Ticked Off that details the dangers of getting bitten by a tick. As thousands of people are infected by ticks, the USDA is recommending valuable tips and ideas to stay safe.
The summer is a time many people spend outdoors where ticks thrive. Individuals want to spend time on hiking trails, camping trips, and outdoor outings unaware of the threat of ticks. The USDA is aware more people are becoming active outdoors which is the best time to educate people on ticks.
If possible, one of the best things to do when outdoors to avoid a tick bite is to wear clothing that covers the arms and the legs with lightweight clothing. You can wear long socks and tuck your pants in your socks to also avoid ticks getting ready to be your clothes. Safety tips against ticks should be used at all times of the day.
USDA Recommendations
You should always avoid tick-infested areas. Check your local state or county for information about ticks. Online pharmacy reviews 2022 are a great resource for information about ticks.
Find out where ticks are common in your area, avoid leaf litter, tall grass, and wooded areas where ticks hide. You should also use common repellant on your clothing and shoes while being aware of the impact of diseases ticks have been known to cause in your area.
Other tick-borne diseases like RMSF are causing life-threatening diseases. From the onset of the symptoms, a person has 8 days to seek medical attention before RMSF can become fatal. You should always thoroughly check your clothes for ticks after spending time outdoors. Never underestimate the threat of a tick bite and how it can have an impact on your health.
If you believe you or someone you love has been bitten by a tick, seek medical attention right away. Your doctor will know how to diagnose and treat tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. Remember, your pet is also subject to tick bites and should be examined for any traces of bites and taken to the vet immediately if needed.
Conclusion
A tick bite can be more aggravating them harmful depending on the type of species you come in contact with. All tick bites should be given serious consideration and diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Kids, pets, and the elderly are more at risk from a tick bite. Furthermore, a bite left untreated can cause symptoms to appear days or months after contact. You don’t have to isolate yourself from the outdoors, but take extra precautions to avoid the dangers of getting bitten by a tick to stay healthy.
