Tuesday 28 November 2017

Tick Bite Rash Pictures

Ticks belong to the family of arachnids. They transmit diseases both to humans and animals. Who are at risk for tick bites?
  • People who constantly get in contact with grassy and woody areas.
  • People who travel in tick-infested areas.
  • People who live in areas surrounded by woods and tall grass. (1, 2, and 3)

Tick Bite Rash Pictures


image source:  webmd.com

image source:  www.tickbites.net

image source: images.rxlist.com 

image source:  www.hawthornehillherbs.com

image source:  thesurvivaldoctor.com

image source:  imimg.com

What does a tick bite look like and what are the symptoms?

The moment a tick bites your skin, you won't be able to feel anything. As it stops sucking blood and eventually falls off the skin, you will begin to feel discomfort after a few minutes.

There will be itching and burning sensation. Red spots are all over the skin. Some people may experience severe pain in some areas of the body. The tick bite causes a bulls eye rash.(3, 4)


Tick bite treatment

Tick bites should be immediately treated with a local cleansing agent and antibiotic cream. To relieve itching and discomfort, you should apply topical agents containing diphenhydramine.

People with a severe reaction to tick bites should be treated pathogen based. An oral antibiotic is needed depending on the assessment of the patient's overall condition. (5, 6)

Tick bite rashes can be prevented by removing the ticks from the skin. Follow these steps in removing ticks:
  • Wear gloves when removing ticks from the skin. You can also use tweezers or forceps.
  • Gently pull the tick making sure that it will not release its pathogens on the skin.
  • Don't crush the tick. Put it in the container if you feel you need to show it to your doctor. If you don't want to keep it, then flush in the sink or toilet.
  • If you have tick bites, you need to thoroughly clean the skin with antibacterial soap and water. 
  • Thoroughly wash your hands. Apply disinfectant to your hands and to the instruments that get in contact with ticks. (5, 6, and 7)

What can you do to prevent tick bite rash?

If ticks are prevalent in your place, you need to use acaricides, a special type of chemical that kills ticks and mites. During tick season (April to September), you should stay away from outdoor areas. Keep your surroundings clean to prevent tick and mite infestation. Avoid ticks and shrubby areas, especially where tick resides.

You should wear light-colored clothing so that ticks can be easily identified once they get in contact with your clothing. Use insect repellants, especially the ones that have the ability to repel ticks. (2, 4, and 6)

Prognosis

People with tick bites can go on with their usual day to day life without any problems or difficulties. The prognosis is generally good. However, people with a weak immune system such as the one with cancer, HIV, and people receiving chemotherapy, they should contact their healthcare provider once they are bitten by ticks.

If the tick released its pathogens, the prognosis can still be good to poor depending on the pathogens. The prognosis is poor in people with weak immune system, especially if treatments are not given immediately. (1, 6, and 7)

References
  1. https://www.medicinenet.com/ticks/article.htm 
  2. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/picture-of-tick-bites 
  3. https://www.emedicinehealth.com/ticks/page4_em.htm 
  4. https://www.hopkinsrheumatology.org/specialty-clinics/lyme-disease-clinical-research-center/what-to-do-after-a-tick-bite/ 
  5. https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-tick-bites/basics/art-20056671 
  6. https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-and-beauty-pictures/common-ticks-and-tick-bite-symptoms.aspx 
  7.  https://www.uptodate.com/contents/what-to-do-after-a-tick-bite-to-prevent-lyme-disease-beyond-the-basics