Tick Infestation on Human Skin: What to Do

Ticks are small parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of various animals and can transmit diseases to humans. Their presence is a public health concern. When a tick attaches to human skin, it can go unnoticed for days, increasing the risk of pathogen transmission. Understanding how to identify them, address an attachment, and prevent encounters is important for anyone who spends time outdoors.

Recognizing Ticks and Bite Symptoms on Skin

Ticks vary in color and size; some can be as tiny as a poppy seed. Common types that bite humans include the deer tick (or blacklegged tick) and the dog tick. An unfed tick is flat and teardrop-shaped, while a feeding tick becomes engorged and rounded as it fills with blood. You might find a single tick or multiple ticks, especially after walking through heavily infested areas like dense woods or long grass.

Ticks prefer warm, moist areas of the body and are frequently found in the armpits, groin, scalp, and behind the knees. A tick bite is painless because their saliva contains anesthetic properties, so you likely will not feel it. The first sign is often the discovery of the embedded tick itself. After removal, you might notice a small, red bump similar to a mosquito bite.

An embedded tick has its head and mouthparts inserted into the skin, appearing as a small, dark, firmly attached speck. A tick that has not yet bitten may still be crawling on your skin or clothing. Finding multiple ticks, especially tiny larval or nymphal ticks, suggests a significant exposure and requires a thorough body check.

Proper Tick Removal Techniques

Remove an attached tick as soon as possible using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. This prevents squeezing the tick’s body, which could inject saliva and potential pathogens into your bloodstream.

Pull upward with steady, even pressure, and avoid twisting or jerking. This can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. If the mouthparts break off and are not easily removed with tweezers, leave them alone and let the skin heal. The body will naturally expel them.

Avoid folk remedies like petroleum jelly, heat, or nail polish, as these can agitate the tick. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water. Dispose of a live tick by:

• Putting it in alcohol.
• Placing it in a sealed bag or container.
• Wrapping it tightly in tape.
• Flushing it down the toilet.

Potential Health Complications from Tick Bites

While most tick bites are harmless, some can cause health issues if the tick carries a pathogen. Lyme disease is a well-known tick-borne illness that causes fever, headache, fatigue, and a “bull’s-eye” skin rash. If untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Another condition is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which presents with fever, headache, and a rash.

Other diseases transmitted by ticks include Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Babesiosis, each causing flu-like symptoms. The prevalence of these diseases varies geographically, as different ticks in different regions carry specific pathogens. For example, Lyme disease is most common in the northeastern and upper midwestern United States, while Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is found more broadly across the Americas.

Some people may also experience allergic reactions to tick bites, such as Alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy triggered by the bite of a Lone Star tick. Monitor your health for several weeks after a tick bite. If you develop a rash, fever, or other unusual symptoms, seek medical attention and inform your doctor about the recent bite.

Strategies for Preventing Tick Encounters

The most effective way to manage tick-related risks is prevention. When venturing into wooded or grassy areas, wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Tucking your pants into your socks creates a barrier that makes it harder for ticks to reach your skin. Light-colored clothing is also beneficial, as it makes spotting ticks easier.

Applying an EPA-registered insect repellent to exposed skin provides another layer of protection. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus are effective. For greater defense, treat clothing and gear like boots and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels ticks on contact and remains effective through several washings.

After returning indoors, conduct a thorough tick check on yourself, children, and any pets. Pay close attention to these areas:

• Hair and in and around the ears
• Under the arms
• Inside the belly button
• Behind the knees
• In the groin area

Taking a shower within two hours of coming indoors can reduce the risk of contracting tick-borne diseases by washing off unattached ticks. Managing your property by keeping grass cut short and removing leaf litter also helps reduce tick populations in your yard.