What do ticks look like and what are the consequences? - briefly
Ticks are small, oval arachnids about 2–5 mm long, reddish‑brown when engorged and gray‑ish before feeding; they attach to skin with a mouthpart called a hypostome. Their bite can transmit pathogens such as Lyme disease, causing fever, rash, joint pain, and, if untreated, long‑term neurological or cardiac complications.
What do ticks look like and what are the consequences? - in detail
Ticks are small arachnids, typically ranging from 2 mm to 15 mm in length depending on species and feeding stage. Unfed adults are flat, oval, and brown to reddish‑brown, while engorged individuals swell to a rounded, balloon‑like shape and turn grayish‑blue. The dorsal surface bears a scutum (hard shield) in males and partially in females; legs are six‑segmented and extend forward, giving a “spider‑like” appearance. Mouthparts include chelicerae and a hypostome equipped with barbs that anchor the tick to host skin.
When a tick attaches and feeds, it can transmit a variety of pathogens and induce physiological reactions:
- Bacterial infections – Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii), ehrlichiosis.
- Protozoan diseases – babesiosis (Babesia microti), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum).
- Viral illnesses – Powassan encephalitis, tick‑borne encephalitis.
- Allergic responses – local erythema, swelling, or prolonged itching at the bite site.
- Anemia and blood loss – severe infestations may cause significant hematologic depletion.
- Secondary infections – bacterial colonisation of the wound if proper hygiene is not observed.
Ticks locate hosts by detecting carbon dioxide, heat, and movement. After attachment, they remain attached for several days to weeks, gradually expanding as they ingest blood. Prompt removal with fine‑pointed tweezers, grasping the mouthparts close to the skin and pulling steadily, reduces the risk of pathogen transmission. Early recognition of symptoms—fever, rash, joint pain, fatigue, or neurological signs—facilitates timely diagnosis and treatment, minimizing long‑term complications.