- Swelling
- Itchiness
- Blistering
- Bruising
- A pink or red rash
- A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or above
- Other flu-like symptoms, such as a headache or joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
Ticks and Tick Bites
Ticks
Ticks are small, spider-like creatures which feed on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans.
They can be found anywhere there is wildlife, usually in woodland and moorland areas. They do not fly or jump but climb on to animals or humans as they brush past.
The most common disease ticks transmit is Lyme disease.
Prevention
- Keep to footpaths and avoid long grass
- Wear appropriate clothing (a long-sleeved shirt and trousers tucked into your socks)
- Wear light-coloured fabrics that may help you spot a tick on your clothes
- Use insect repellent
- Check your skin for ticks
- Check children's head and neck areas, including their scalp
- Check pets for ticks
Tick bites aren't usually painful and sometimes only cause a red lump to develop where you were bitten. However, in some cases they may cause:
Try to remove ticks as soon as possible to reduce the risk of getting a tick-borne infection. Ideally, try to use a tick removal tool. If tweezers are the only tool available you need to be very careful not to push the tick in further.
Before removing the tick make sure the person is:
- Conscious and alert
- Responding normally to you
- Grip the tick gently with the tweezer
- Pull upwards very slowly and carefully
- After the tick is removed wash the skin with soap
Watch this video to learn how to remove a tick with a tick removal tool:
Source: Royal College of General Practitioners