Tick Bite

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? Ticks are blood-sucking bugs that carry germs and can pass on infection. Ticks live in areas covered by brush and tall grasses and are found in woods and mountains. They may even be found in your lawn if you live in certain areas. Outdoor pets can carry ticks inside the house. Ticks can grab onto you or your clothes when you walk by grass or brush. Most tick bites do not cause illness.

What causes tick bites? Ticks can attach to the skin of your head, neck, armpits, ankles, or groin (between your legs). They may crawl on the skin for up to one hour before actually biting you. A tick uses its mouth parts to dig into your skin and suck your blood. Soft-bodied ticks let go of the skin by themselves after a few hours. Hard-bodied ticks may stay attached to the skin for up to a few weeks.

What are the signs and symptoms of tick bites?

• You may feel pain and swelling in the area of the tick. You may also get blisters (bumps), swelling, and itching that usually go away within one week. You may have a small amount of redness. These are normal symptoms of a tick bite.
  
  
• You may have a more serious illness from the tick bite if you start having headaches, fever, or chills. Other signs of illness caused by a tick bite include red rash, muscle weakness, tiredness, or having trouble walking. You may also not feel like eating. These may be signs and symptoms of a more serious illness such as Lyme Disease. Call your caregiver if you have one or more signs of illness within one month of getting a tick bite.

How can I remove a tick? Ticks must be removed as soon as possible to help prevent getting diseases caused by tick bites. You are less likely to get sick from a tick bite if you remove the tick within 24 hours. Do the following to remove a tick:

• Soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol or use a disposable alcohol wipe. Gently clean the skin around the tick.
  
  
• Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull it straight up and out with tweezers or with fingertips protected by a tissue, cloth or rubber gloves. Do not touch the tick with your bare hands.
  
  
• Pull gently until the tick lets go. Do not twist or jerk the tick suddenly because this may break off the tick's head or mouth parts. You can buy special V-shaped devices that help lift ticks out safely. Do not leave any parts of the tick in the skin.
  
  
• Do not crush or squeeze the tick since its body may be infected with germs. Flush the tick down the toilet.
  
  
• Do not put a hot match, petroleum jelly or fingernail polish on the tick. This does not cause a tick to come off more easily. Doing this may cause the tick to vomit (throw up) germs into your skin.
  
  
• After the tick is removed, clean the area of the bite with rubbing alcohol. Then, wash your hands with soap and water.

How are tick bites treated?

• Apply ice to the bite mark. This may help to decrease pain, itching and swelling from the bite. Put crushed ice in a plastic bag or use a bag of frozen corn or peas. Cover it with a towel. Put this on your bite for 15 to 20 minutes out of every hour for as long as you need it. Do not sleep on the ice pack because you can get frostbite.
  
  
• Try not to scratch the bite.
  
  
• Medicines: Caregivers may suggest one or more of the following medicines:
  
  
  • Antibiotics: Caregivers may give you antibiotics if you get an infection from the tick bite. Always follow your caregiver's directions for taking this medicine. Do not stop taking antibiotics, even if your bite mark goes away and you feel better.
    
    
  • Antihistamine: An antihistamine is medicine that may help decrease the itching from your bite. It may make you drowsy.
    
    
  • Local anesthetic: This medicine helps to decrease pain and itching from your bite. Always follow your caregiver's advice for using local anesthetics.
    
    
  • Skin protectant: Skin protectants help soothe itchy, red skin. They may also keep out infection. Some examples of these medicines are calamine or zinc oxide.
    
    
  • Topical steroid: A topical steroid is medicine that you rub into your skin. It may help to decrease redness and itching. Topical steroids are available over-the-counter (OTC). Do not use this medicine on areas of skin that are cut, scratched or infected.

How can I prevent tick bites? The best way to avoid tick bites is to stay out of areas that are heavily infested by ticks. If you do go into areas that contain many trees, tall grasses and underbrush, do the following:

• Wear protective clothing. Wear pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck your pants into your socks or boots. Tuck in your shirt. Wear sleeves that fit close to the skin at your wrists and neck. This will help prevent ticks from crawling through gaps in your clothing and onto your skin. Wear a hat in areas with trees. Wear light-colored clothing to make finding ticks easier.
  
  
• Put insect repellant on your skin. Put insect repellent on skin that is showing. The insect repellant should contain DEET. Do not put insect repellant on skin that is cut, scratched or irritated. Do not put insect repellent on a child's face or hands. Always use soap and water to wash the insect repellant off as soon as possible once you are indoors.
  
  
• Spray insect repellant onto your clothes. Use permethrin spray. This spray kills ticks that crawl on your clothing. Be sure to spray the tops of your boots, bottom of pant legs, and sleeve cuffs. As soon as possible, wash and dry clothing that has been worn outdoors.
  
  
• Check your skin and clothes for ticks often. Check your clothing, hair and skin for ticks every 2 to 3 hours while you are outdoors. Carefully check the hairline, armpits, neck and waist. Check your pets and children for ticks if they go into an area where ticks live. Remove ticks from pets the same way as you remove them from people.
  
  
• Decrease the chance of ticks in your yard. Ticks like to live in shady, moist (wet) areas. Mow your lawn regularly to keep the grass short. Trim the grass around birdbaths and fences. Cut branches that are overgrown and take them out of the yard. Clear out leaf piles. Stack firewood in a dry, sunny area.
  
  
• Call your caregiver if: You cannot remove a tick, or the tick's head is stuck in the skin.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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