The great outdoors is full of uncertainty. Simply by making an effort to educate ourselves in order to know what to look for, we can avoid exposure to the many hazards in the woods. One of the biggest dangers is a deer tick bite.
Unfortunately you could be bitten and not even realize it. There is a chance that once bitten, you could contract a condition called Lyme Disease.
Lyme Disease is a potentially debilitating condition which is spread by a certain bacteria, namely Borrelia Burgdorferi. This particular bacteria is most commonly found on a deer tick. These are not only found on the bodies of white-tailed deer and other livestock, but also on the tips of grass and leaves.
This means you can be easily infected by simply walking around in the wilderness. Also, the fact that a deer tick bite is basically pain-free, means that you could be infected by this condition without even realizing it.
Deer Tick Facts and Bite Information
A deer tick is scientifically referred to as Ixodes Scapularis, and they are commonly known as black-legged ticks. These are tiny, and can sometimes also be mistaken for a dog tick. The fact is that these are so small, you’re unlikely to even see them. They are so prevalent in the spread of Lyme Disease which makes them very important to learn about their bite.
A deer tick loves white-tailed deer, elk, fallow deer and others so it makes sense that they are going to be found in areas where most deer are located. The eastern part of the USA is a common area, as well as the northeast. However, this is now spreading to the colder parts of the country too.
More About Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease can affect animals and humans, and when left untreated can become debilitating and very serious indeed. In addition, symptoms can not only take a little time to incubate, but can also be easily confused with other conditions. Unfortunately, this means that it can also be hard to diagnose by healthcare professionals.
For that reason, it is important to recognize the of deer tick bite symptoms. Tell your doctor that you have been out and about in a wooded or grassy area recently. In fact, symptom and disease awareness is vital when not only recognizing the disease, but also to treat it before it becomes extremely serious.
Treatment
Lyme Disease can be treated easily with a strong course of antibiotics, if it is recognized early and treated accordingly. If the condition isn’t diagnosed, the disease may quickly incubate and spread, which can affect the heart and nervous system.
If a person has already suffered a weakness in these areas of their body, they are even more susceptible to complications. The fact that this disease is discussed in healthcare circles so much these days, should tell you a lot about its seriousness. This makes it important to be symptom and risk aware.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of Lyme Disease in humans, as we mentioned, can be confused with other conditions, However, overall you should be on the look out for:
- A gradual fever which can spike suddenly and be prolonged
- A headache that is either prolonged, or increases in intensity
- Fatigue and a feeling of no energy whatsoever
- A rash, which can occur anywhere on the body
While the fever, headache and fatigue are likely to point to many different tick disease conditions, the rash is often the tell tale symptom which leads to a diagnosis.
Be sure to advise your healthcare professional about your ventures out into the wilderness. This may help speed up a diagnosis, which can make the disease much less serious for you.
Of course, it doesn’t just affect humans, but livestock also. If a herd of livestock are affected, this can be extremely serious for farmers. In these cases, the black-legged tick is almost always at the heart of the issue.
How to Avoid Tick Bites and Lyme Disease Transmission
If you know how to avoid a deer tick bite, you can avoid contracting it. However, as we mentioned, this can be difficult at times, because the bite is pain-free. Also, these ticks are so hard to see.
However, the following points can help you avoid getting bitten:
- Wear a repellent – Insect repellents can certainly help you minimize the chances of getting a bite. However, one insecticide in particular is shown to be great. Permethrin-treated clothing, such as socks, are a great way to avoid bites.
- Cover up as much as possible. While it’s not impossible to be bitten by a deer tick through clothing, the chances are less if you are covered.
- Wear light-colored clothing. The lighter the color, the easier it will be for you to identify the presence of a one despite their small size. This means you can take action prior to being bitten, or to know that you have been bitten and seek help.
- Shower when you return home. Of course, you’re going to have a shower once you’ve been out and about in the great outdoors. However, you should also check your body for any bite marks or signs of irritation.
- Remove the tick if you have been bitten – If one is engorged, then you need to remove the tick from your skin with a pair of tweezers and then look out for any symptoms, or seek help sooner if you are concerned.
Conclusion
After reading this you know how important it is to identify a deer tick. It is important you take action if you have been bitten by removing the tick, and also to be symptom-aware.
Lyme Disease is a condition which can spread to the vital organs and cause major health problems, especially for the elderly. Also, it can effect those who have a past medical history of problems in these areas. For that reason, we should all be Lyme Disease aware.
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