Dr. David Gerson, Sherwood Family Medical Center
Ticks are a part of outdoor life in Arkansas, and sometimes, a tick bite can lead to illness. Read on for what you need to know about tick-related illnesses.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an infection that causes a fever and a rash of red spots. The ticks that can carry the germ that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever are called the American dog tick, the Rocky Mountain wood tick, and the common brown dog tick. These ticks normally feed on animals, including dogs, mice and deer.Symptoms include:
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Fever (in almost all cases)
- Headache (can be severe)
- Flu-like illness
- Muscle and joint pain
- Nausea, with or without vomiting
- Belly pain (especially in children)
- A skin rash. The rash caused by Rocky Mountain spotted fever causes red blotches that turn white if you press on them. The rash usually starts on the ankles and wrists and spreads to the body.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an illness that can make you feel like you have the flu. It can also cause a rash, fever, or nerve, joint, or heart problems. People can get Lyme disease after being bitten by a tick. When a certain type of tick bites you, it can transmit the germ that causes Lyme disease from its body to yours. But a tick can infect you only if it stays attached for at least a day. Ticks cannot fly or jump. Symptoms can start days or weeks after a tick bite, and include:- A rash where you were bitten. The rash often appears within a month of getting bitten. It is red, but its center can be the color of your skin. It might get bigger over a few days. To some, it looks like a “bull’s eye.”
- Fever
- Feeling tired
- Body aches and pains
- Heart problems such as a slowed heart rate
- Headache and stiff neck
- Feelings of pain, weakness, or numbness
Steps to Help Avoid Getting Bitten by a Tick
- Wear shoes, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants when you go outside. Keep ticks away from your skin by tucking your pants into your socks.
- Wear light colors so you can spot any ticks that get on your clothes
- Use bug spray to keep ticks away. On your skin, use bug sprays that have a chemical called “DEET.” On your clothes and gear, use bug repellants that have a chemical called Permethrin.
- Check your body for ticks after being outdoors or with dogs. Be sure to check your scalp, waist, armpits, groin, and backs of your knees. Check your children, too.
What to Do if You Find a Tick on You or Your Child
If you find a tick on your body or on your child, use tweezers to grab it. Then pull it out slowly and gently. After that, wash the area with soap and water. You do not need to keep the tick, but knowing what it looked like can help your doctor decide about your treatment. See if you can tell:- Its color and size
- If it was attached to your skin or just resting on your skin
- If it was big, round, and full of blood