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Tick Bites

Summary

If you spend time outdoors or have pets that go outdoors, you need to beware of ticks. Ticks are small bloodsucking parasites. Many species transmit diseases to animals and people. Some of the diseases you can get from a tick bite are Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.

Some ticks are so small that they can be difficult to see. Ticks may get on you if you walk through areas where they live, such as tall grass, leaf litter or shrubs.

Tick-borne diseases occur worldwide, including in your own backyard. To help protect yourself and your family, you should:

  • Use a chemical repellent with DEET, permethrin or picaridin
  • Wear light-colored protective clothing
  • Tuck pant legs into socks
  • Avoid tick-infested areas
  • Check yourself, your children and your pets daily for ticks and carefully remove any ticks you find

Start Here

  • Tickborne Diseases From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
  • Ticks (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Symptoms

Prevention and Risk Factors

Treatments and Therapies

Related Issues

Specifics

Statistics and Research

Clinical Trials

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

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The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.