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Ticked Off By Tick Bites?
Ticked off by tick bites, well you should be. Tick-born illnesses are rampant in the United States, and are introduced to humans by way of tick bites.
Though the actual processes involved in the transmission of tick viruses are not fully understood it is believed that tick bites transmit a saliva compound that aids in the digestive processes for the tick before its blood meal.
Lyme Disease is transmitted by deer tick bites and must be clinically diagnosed. It presents itself as a body rash and has three stages. The length of the disease is contingent upon how long the person has been infected.
Young children will be treated with amoxicillin; everyone older than eight years of age will be treated with doxycycline.
Deer tick bites will also transmit a disease called Ehrlichiosis. Victims of this disease sometimes experience a rash over the upper body (trunk). But more frequently suffer from chills, shaking, headaches and fever.
The treatment for Ehrlichiosis is doxycycline, chloramphenicol and rifampin.
Rocky Mountain Spotted fever is transmitted by the Rocky Mountain wood and American Dog tick bites. This disease commonly affects young children and seniors. The disease manifests itself as a spotted rash, with associated symptoms of fever.
The tick bites are prevalent from April to September. Patients are treated with doxycycline for a period of seven to ten days. The disease can become fatal if left untreated.
Tularemia also known as Rabbit Disease is transferred to humans by either tick bites or some sort of contact with sick rabbits. This disease is also a virus.
Type A affects humans and animals alike in North America, while the Type B variety is more prevalent in Europe and Asia. The common symptoms are fever, headaches chills and muscle pain.
Tick bites will become ulcerated. There are also signs of enlarged lymph nodes. The disease can be fatal if left untreated.
Clinical diagnosis involves various tests; especially an antibody test. The medication most often prescribed is streptomycine, while doxycycline is also used. Currently research is being done in the USA to create a vaccine.
Colorado Tick Fever is not a serious tick disorder. However patients afflicted by these tick bites will come down with flu-like symptoms as well. The symptoms of eye pain, muscle pain, chills, headaches, fever, vomiting and nausea last from three to five days.
The treatment for this disease is to relieve the flu symptoms.
Relapsing Fever is a sneaky disease. There are bouts of fever that lasts about three days. At the time of the infection, there is also flu like symptoms: sweating, vomiting, chills, and headaches.
They all go away. The afflicted individual appears to be well and then the fever and symptoms start over again. If left untreated after several outbreaks of this disease, the symptoms will develop into seizures, pneumonia, hepatitis, coma and even death.
Once again doxycyline is used to treat this tick disease.
Tick Paralysis occurs when there is not only a tick bite but a part of the tick remains under the skin. If left untreated, the toxin injected from the bite may cause lung problems.
The first aid step for this treatment is carefully removing the tick from the skin. The condition will clear up shortly after the tick has been removed.
Tick bites and their associated diseases are very serious and in many cases can lead to death. Prevention is always the best medicine. Ticks are known to inhabit woody and mountainous areas.
Remember to use tick repellants and wear light colored protective clothing so that ticks can be seen on your cloths, but cannot penetrate the skin.
If you have dogs or cats, or even pet rabbits have them treated with medication if you notice they have a tick infestation.
First Aid for Tick Removal
To remove a tick, you can use tweezers and grasp the tick but never squeeze. Be sure to grab hold of it as close to the skin as possible and gently and slowing pull it out.You can remove ticks by placing scotch or duct tape over the tick and pulling it off. You can also use tick shampoo. Check for any visual signs of the tick remaining in the wound.
You may need to use a magnifying glass to see them. If the head is still in the wound, you must see a doctor immediately. Wash around the tick bite with soap and water.
If you notice any flu like symptoms after tick removal contact your doctor without fail.