Ticks are parasites that feed off warm-blooded hosts that they attack. While pets are more susceptible to infestations from ticks, the parasites can also latch onto human beings. A tick bite may be harmless in the initial stages, but with time, it can lead to bacterial infections and severe conditions, like Lyme disease. More than 300,000 people in the country develop this disease, so any bites from ticks must be treated with caution.

Identifying a tick bite

A tick that attaches itself to the body can stay there for up to 10 days. The parasite grows in size and gets easier to spot with time. A person with a tick bite will be able to notice a red-colored or discolored circular bump on their skin. The bump will look similar to that of a mosquito bite. However, ticks typically bite one spot instead of lines of bites or clusters.

Ticks that carry harmful bacteria can transmit Lyme disease. Here, the person will notice a bullseye rash start to appear between 3 to 30 days after the tick bites. Lyme disease may also cause more than one rash and grow in size as the days progress. The rash may become as wide as 12 inches in width. Apart from Lyme disease, ticks may also cause other infections that may require medical assistance.

Where ticks bite

A tick often lives in moist, warm regions of the body. If a tick attacks a human body, it will likely move to places like the groin, hair, or armpits. The inside of the belly button, a person’s waist, the back of the knees, and around/inside the ears are some of the regions where these blood-sucking critters thrive. These pests do not move too often, so a person should check their entire body.

Once the tick settles in a spot, it will bite the skin and draw blood. They will also remain static after damaging the skin, making the parasite easy to spot. A tick that has drawn blood for about ten days will usually uncouple itself from the skin and fall off. While the person may not feel the initial bite or notice any symptoms, it is imperative to contact a healthcare professional to prevent any potential diseases.

Preventing tick infestations

A tick-borne disease generally takes about 24 hours to surface once the parasite feeds on the skin. Therefore, one must ensure to follow certain preventive measures to avoid tick infestations and illnesses. A few measures include:

Walking in the center of trails while out in the woods

Showering or bathing within two hours of returning home after being outdoors

Thoroughly inspect common tick-nesting regions of the skin and the rest of the body after being located in tick-infested regions

Check clothing for any ticks that may have latched on when outdoors

Tumble dry clothes in a dryer or on high heat for 10 minutes to eliminate ticks on dry clothing after coming indoors

Tick repellent products

While the preventive measures listed above can reduce the risk of ticks, they are not fool-proof. So one must use tick repellent products to eliminate or keep ticks away.

Insect Shield Golf & Sport Ankle Socks

The Insect Shield Golf & Sport ankle socks are one of the best tick repellent products on the market. The socks contain EPA-registered permethrin repellent that can keep ticks away. It also has a cushioned footbed and a flat toe seam for added comfort. The tick repellant is available for about $10.95 on Insect Shield’s website.

Equinox Guard Pants

These pants are made from bite-reduction fabric and have built-in Insect Shield® protection. The pants also limit skin exposure, reducing potential ticks from latching onto the skin. The Equinox Guard Pants are available on SitKagear’s website for $249. These pants are also available in various sizes.

Vets Best Outdoor Flea & Tick Spray

Pets are at a greater risk of tick infestations because they often play in a tick-borne environment. These pests can migrate from the fur to carpets, furniture, clothing, or skin. So it is imperative to keep indoor and outdoor environments safe from such parasites. That’s where one can use the Vets Best Outdoor Flea & Tick Spray. The product is available on Chewy’s website for $13.29 and is suitable to use on surfaces, including kennels, patios, lawns, and turf, to keep pests away. The formula is certified as 100% natural and will not affect any trees, shrubs, or flowers. However, one should not spray this directly on their pets and strictly follow the label instructions.

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito & Tick Repellent Spray

The spray is made with only plant-based active ingredients recommended by the CDC. It is one of the best products to control ticks. The Lemon and Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito & Tick Repellant spray can be applied on exposed areas of the skin when a person walks in places infested with ticks. A 4 oz. bottle of the product is available on Murphy’s website for $9.99.