What is a tick and how to deal with it? - briefly
A tick is a tiny blood‑sucking arachnid that attaches to the skin of humans or animals to feed. To eliminate it, grasp the animal «tick» with fine‑pointed tweezers as close to the skin as possible, pull upward with steady pressure, clean the bite site, and observe for any signs of infection.
What is a tick and how to deal with it? - in detail
A tick is a small arachnid belonging to the order Ixodida, parasitic on mammals, birds, and reptiles. It attaches to the host’s skin, pierces with its hypostome, and feeds on blood for several days. During feeding, the tick can transmit pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Rickettsia spp.
Identification relies on visual inspection of exposed skin, hairline, and clothing seams. Adult ticks are typically 3–5 mm in length, while nymphs are 1–2 mm; both possess a flattened, oval body and eight legs. Engorged specimens expand considerably, reaching up to 10 mm.
Effective removal follows a precise procedure:
- Use fine‑pointed tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible.
- Apply steady, upward pressure to extract the whole organism without crushing the body.
- Disinfect the bite area with an antiseptic solution.
- Store the tick in a sealed container for possible laboratory identification, especially if symptoms develop.
Preventive measures reduce exposure risk:
- Wear long sleeves and trousers in tick‑infested habitats; tuck clothing into socks.
- Apply repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or permethrin (treated clothing only).
- Perform thorough body checks after outdoor activities, focusing on scalp, behind ears, and groin.
- Maintain yards by trimming grass, removing leaf litter, and creating a barrier of wood chips between lawn and forested edges.
If a bite occurs, monitor the site for erythema migrans or flu‑like symptoms within 30 days. Seek medical evaluation promptly; early antibiotic therapy mitigates disease progression.