What does a tick that dug look like? Tick ​​bite: signs, symptoms, treatment and consequences, photo

The season of tick activity begins in mid-spring. These insects have an active period not once a year, but two. Spring begins when the air temperature reaches about +10 ° C, and the second period of activity begins around the end of August and lasts until mid-October. The most common places for ticks to stick to humans are the ears, chest, armpits, neck, groin, abdomen and lower back.

What are the signs of a tick bite?

The bite site, depending on the person's age, health status, type of tick, duration of its stay on the body, etc., may have different signs. A severe manifestation of a bite can occur in the elderly, children, as well as those suffering from allergies and immunodeficiency conditions. In other cases, the tick bite can be painless; many often do not notice it even after the tick has fallen off the skin.

If the tick saliva contained causative agents of dangerous diseases, for example, borreliosis, then with a bite, erythema (a growing spot) may occur, its size can reach from 10 to 60 cm.The spot can have a bright scarlet color, a regular round or ellipsoidal shape. With Lyme disease, the skin may develop a rash and 10 to 12 cm dark red or blue spots that look like a bruise. Spots can appear two days after the bite, or weeks later. Spots occur more often at or near the bite site.

What are the symptoms of a tick bite?

The first symptoms after a tick bite in humans can appear two to three weeks after infection. Therefore, after walking in the forest, you need to carefully examine the skin. If a tick is found, remove it as soon as possible. The most common method for removing a tick is by grabbing its body or head with tweezers. When removing an insect in this way, gloves must be worn, since the infection can be transmitted through microcracks in the skin.

A doctor should be consulted if the following symptoms appear:

• headache, fever, or chills;
• red skin rash;
• muscle weakness;
• dyspnea;
• swelling;
• numbness;
• tiredness or difficulty walking;
• lack of appetite;
• paralysis.

General information about ticks

Ticks are characterized by seasonality. The first cases of attacks are recorded in early spring, when the air temperature rises above 0 0 C, and the last - in autumn. Peak bites are observed from April to July.

Bloodsuckers do not like bright sun and wind, so they watch for their prey in humid, not too shady places, in dense grass and bushes. Most often found in ravines, at the edges of forests, along the edges of paths or in parks.

Tick ​​attack and bite

The tick gnaws at the skin with the help of a hypostome (mouth apparatus) dotted along the edges with growths facing back. This structure of the organ helps the bloodsucker to stay firmly in the tissues of the host.

With borreliosis, a tick bite looks like focal erythema up to 20-50 cm in diameter. The form of inflammation is most often correct, with a bright red outer border. After a day, the center of erythema turns pale and acquires a bluish tint, a crust appears and soon the site of the bite is scarred. After 10-14 days, there is no trace of the lesion.

Signs of a tick bite

• there is weakness, a desire to lie down;
• chills and fever occur, possibly an increase in temperature;
• photophobia appears.

Attention. In people of this group, symptoms can be supplemented by low blood pressure, increased heart rate, itching, headache and enlargement of nearby lymph nodes.

In rare cases, there is difficulty in breathing and hallucinations.

Temperature after a bite as a symptom of the disease

Each infection caused by a bloodsucker bite has its own characteristics:

1. With tick-borne encephalitis, a recurrent fever appears. The first rise in temperature is recorded 2-3 days after the bite. After two days everything is back to normal. In some cases, there is a repeated rise in temperature for 9-10 days.
2. Borreliosis is characterized by a fever in the middle of the disease, which is accompanied by other symptoms of infection.
3. With monocytic ehrlichiosis, the temperature rises 10-14 days after the tick bite and lasts about 3 weeks.

Almost all diseases transmitted by bloodsuckers are accompanied by fever.

Rules of conduct for a tick bite

So what to do if bitten by a tick? First of all, it is necessary to remove the bloodsucker as soon as possible. This should be done slowly and carefully so as not to damage it and not provoke infection. Do not use gasoline, nail polish or other chemicals. Vegetable oil or fat will not help either. Better to use effective and proven methods.

Removing a tick with a thread

The method is simple, but requires a lot of dexterity and patience. It will be useful when extracting large specimens. For the procedure to be successful, it is recommended to do the following:

Removing the tick with a thread

The removed bloodsucker must be placed in a glass container with a tight lid and taken to the laboratory for research.

Removing the tick with tweezers

Attention. Tweezers during removal of the bloodsucker must be kept strictly parallel or perpendicular to the skin.

Tick ​​twists

Tick ​​twists are very effective

Other ways to remove a tick

1. Wrap your fingers with a handkerchief or gauze to make it easier to hold the tick.
2. Grab it at the very border with the skin and pull it out with gentle twisting movements.
3. Disinfect the wound or rinse with water.

If for some reason the tick cannot be saved for analysis, it should be destroyed by pouring boiling water or burning it on fire.

Attention. If you cannot remove the bloodsucker yourself, you need to contact the nearest emergency room.

Medical workers will provide first aid for a tick bite: they will professionally remove it and send it for research, disinfect the wound and tell you how to proceed. The doctor will definitely inform you what symptoms should be paid attention to in the next month.

What to do after removing the tick?

In people who are prone to allergies, a tick bite can cause a strong response from the body. Often, swelling of the face develops, there is difficulty in breathing and muscle pain. In this case, it is necessary:

• give the victim an antihistamine: Suprastin, Claritin, Zyrtec;
• provide access to fresh air, unfasten clothes;
• call an ambulance.

All other diagnostic and therapeutic measures are carried out only in a hospital setting.

Disease testing of the tick is recommended as soon as possible.

If the tick could not be kept alive, for early diagnosis of the disease, it is recommended to donate blood for the detection of immunoglobulins for infections. The analysis is carried out quickly, the result is usually ready in 5-6 hours. If there was a vaccination, when donating blood, you must indicate its date. The presence of vaccine antibodies can be confusing to healthcare providers.

Diseases caused by tick bites

Encephalitis and borreliosis are the most common tick bite diseases

For Russia, the most significant diseases from a tick bite are tick-borne encephalitis, Lyme borreliosis and zoonotic infections. Let's consider them in a little more detail.

Attention. Infection with the virus occurs through a tick bite. Often, the transmission of the pathogen by the alimentary route is recorded - through infected cow or goat milk that has not been boiled.

The asymptomatic course of the disease is very common and can reach 85–90% in some foci. Prolonged sucking significantly increases the risk of pronounced forms of pathology. The virus tolerates low temperatures well, but dies rather quickly when heated to 80 ° C.

Tick-borne encephalitis infection is seasonal. The first peak of the disease occurs in May-June, the second is recorded in August - early September.

During a bite, the pathogen immediately enters the blood of a person through the salivary glands of the tick, where it is in the highest concentration. After a few hours, the virus enters the victim's central nervous system, and after 2 days it can be detected in the brain tissues. The incubation period of encephalitis with a tick bite is 14–21 days, with infection through milk - no more than a week.

Tick-borne encephalitis symptoms

Most of the victims have an asymptomatic form of infection, and only 5% have a pronounced form. Tick-borne encephalitis most often begins suddenly with the following symptoms:

• body temperature increased to 39-40 ° C;
• Strong headache;
• sleep disturbance;
• nausea, up to vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• redness of the skin of the face and upper body;
• weakness, decreased performance.

Such symptoms are characteristic of the febrile form of the disease, which disappears after 5 days. The defeat of the central nervous system in this case is absent.

Symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis - this is what a person looks like after a tick bite

The meningeal and meningoencephalitic forms of pathology are much more difficult. The patient complains of lethargy, apathy and drowsiness. Hallucinations, delirium, impaired consciousness, convulsions similar to epileptic seizures appear. The meningoencephalitic form can be fatal, which is very rare in recent years.

Periodic muscle twitching indicates peripheral nerve damage. A polyradiculoneuritic form of encephalitis develops, in which general sensitivity is impaired. With the polioencephalomyelitis form of the disease, paresis of the arms and legs is observed.

Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis)

Distributed in the northern regions of Russia. The pathogen enters the human bloodstream when bitten by ixodid ticks and can persist in the body for years. The first symptoms of the disease include:

• headache;
• temperature rise to 38-39 ° C;
• tiredness, weakness and apathy.

1-3 weeks after the tick bite, a seal and annular erythema appear at the site of suction, which can reach 20-50 cm in diameter.

Circular erythema is the main symptom of borreliosis

Attention. Despite the fact that a few weeks after the bite, the red spot disappears without a trace, it is necessary to carry out an analysis for the presence of the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis, since the disease has serious complications and can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to a child.

Often the central nervous system, heart, muscles and ligaments, joints and organs of vision are involved in the pathological process. Late diagnosis and untimely therapy can lead to chronicity of borreliosis, which often ends in disability.

Ehrlichiosis

The disease is also transmitted by ixodid ticks. Deer are considered the main reservoir of Ehrlichia, dogs and horses are the intermediate ones.

Ehrlichiosis can be asymptomatic, so clinically bright, up to death. Common signs of illness include:

• fever;
• increased sweating;
• weakness, drowsiness;
• nausea up to vomiting;
• rigor.

In the acute phase of ehrlichiosis, anemia is observed, a decrease in the level of platelets and leukocytes in the blood.

Recurrent tick-borne typhus

The infection is usually registered in the south of Russia, in Armenia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. The disease always occurs suddenly and begins with a bubble at the site of the tick bite. Then other symptoms are added to the skin manifestations:

• fever;
• increased body temperature;
• joint aches;
• nausea and vomiting;
• headache.

Gradually, the bubble becomes bright red, a pronounced rash appears on the patient's body, the liver enlarges, the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow.

Tick-borne typhus rash

The disease is wavy in nature. The acute phase usually lasts from 3 to 5 days, then the victim's condition returns to normal, the temperature decreases. After a few days, everything is repeated anew. There can be many such attacks. Each subsequent course is less pronounced.

Coxiellosis

It is one of the most common zoonotic infections in the world. The carrier of the disease can be both farm animals and wild animals. One of the distributors of the pathogen is a tick, most often ixodid. He is able to preserve rickettsiae in the body for a long time and transmit them to offspring. The first symptoms appear 5-30 days after the tick bite:

• increased sweating;
• high temperature;
• dry, debilitating cough;
• loss of appetite;
• redness of the face and upper body;
• migraines, weakness and drowsiness.

Quite often, KU-fever is accompanied by pneumonia, back pain and muscle pain. The temperature in the first days of the disease can change several times during the day. Such a disease is treated only in a hospital setting, therapy lends itself well and recovery occurs quickly. Complications are rare; the outcome of the disease is most often favorable. A person who has had coxiellosis develops strong immunity.

Treatment of victims of a tick bite

If a tick has bitten and the test results show an infection, the patient is given immunotherapy on the basis of a doctor's prescription. Further treatment depends on the type of pathogen that has entered the body.

Treatment of patients with tick-borne encephalitis

To date, there are no specific methods for treating tick-borne encephalitis. When signs of damage to the central nervous system appear, the victim must be hospitalized to provide him with medical care. The therapy regimen includes:

1. Bed rest for the entire duration of the fever and for a week after its end.
2. In the first days of the disease, the administration of immunoglobulin is indicated. For best results, apply the product as early as possible, preferably in the first three days after the tick bite.
3. In general cases, the patient is prescribed corticosteroid drugs, blood substitutes.
4. With meningitis, increased doses of vitamins B and C are administered.
5. If the respiratory functions deteriorate, the victim is shown artificial ventilation.

During the recovery period, the patient is prescribed nootropics, tranquilizers and testosterone simulators.

Antibiotics may be prescribed as an adjunct to the main treatment for the bite victim. Antimicrobial drugs are used to suppress pathogenic microflora that can cause various complications.

Therapy for patients with borreliosis

Treatment for Lyme borreliosis involves taking antibiotics. They are used to suppress spirochetes, the causative agents of the disease. The most commonly used drugs are the penicillin series and cephalosporins. To stop erythema, antimicrobial agents of the tetracycline group are prescribed.

Antibiotics are used to treat borreliosis

When neurological disorders appear, the victim is hospitalized. In the hospital, complex therapy is carried out, including:

• blood substitutes;
• corticosteroids;
• testosterone imitators;
• nootropic drugs to improve cerebral circulation;
• vitamin complexes.

The outcome of borreliosis depends on the timeliness of detection of a tick bite, correct diagnosis and early initiation of therapy. Illiterate treatment often leads to a chronic phase of Lyme disease, which can be stopped with great difficulty and can result in disability or death of the victim.

Attention. For the treatment of infections of a protozoal nature, drugs are used that exclude further growth and development of protozoa.

Complications after a tick bite

Summarizing all of the above, one can draw a very disappointing conclusion about the consequences of a tick bite. As you can see, infections affect the most important systems of the body:

• lungs - with the development of symptoms of pneumonia and pulmonary bleeding;
• liver - there is a violation of digestion, problems with stools (diarrhea);
• CNS - with frequent headaches, hallucinations, paresis and paralysis;
• cardiovascular system - arrhythmia appears, blood pressure jumps;
• joints - arthritis and arthralgias are formed.

The consequences of a tick bite can develop in two ways. With a favorable outcome, the loss of working capacity, weakness and lethargy continue for 2-3 months, then all body functions are normalized.

With an ailment of moderate severity, recovery lasts up to six months or longer. A serious form of the disease requires a rehabilitation period of up to 2-3 years, provided that the disease proceeded without paralysis and paresis.

In case of an unfavorable outcome, there is a persistent and long-term (or permanent) decrease in the quality of life of the person affected by the tick bite. It manifests itself as a violation of motor function. The clinical picture deteriorates significantly under the influence of nervous and physical fatigue, pregnancy, and regular alcohol intake.

Persistent disorders in the form of epileptic manifestations and spontaneous convulsions lead to the disability of the patient.

Disability as a consequence of a tick bite

As you know, there are 3 groups of disabilities. The degree of damage to the body after a tick bite is determined by a special medical commission:

1. Disability of the III group - mild paresis of the arms and legs, rare epileptic seizures, inability to perform highly qualified work that requires precision and attention.
2. Disability of the II group - bright paresis of the limbs, partial muscle paresis, severe epilepsy with mental changes, asthenic syndrome, loss of the ability to self-service.
3. Disability of group I - acquired dementia, severe impairment of motor function, persistent and complete epilepsy, widespread muscle paresis, loss of self-control and inability to move independently.

In especially severe cases, with inadequate treatment of infections caused by a tick bite or the complete absence of therapy, a lethal outcome is possible.

Prevention of tick bites

The main and main measure to prevent diseases transmitted by bloodsuckers is vaccination. The exercise significantly reduces the risk of infection after tick bites. Vaccination is necessary for people living in epidemiologically dangerous areas or people whose work is related to forestry.

Vaccination is the main preventive measure for diseases caused by tick bites

Advice. Despite the limited risk group, the vaccine is best done for everyone. After all, it is not known where "lucky" to meet a tick.

Primary vaccination is permitted from an early age. Adults can use domestic and imported drugs, children can use only imported ones. You should not buy the vaccine yourself and bring it to the vaccination room. They won't drive her anyway. The drug requires very strict storage rules, adherence to a certain temperature and light regime, which cannot be done at home. Therefore, it makes no sense to purchase an expensive drug and store it in the refrigerator.

There are two options for vaccination:

1. Preventive vaccination. Helps to protect against a tick bite within a year, and after additional vaccination - at least 3 years. Revaccinations are carried out every three years.
2. Emergency vaccination. Allows you to protect yourself from tick bites for a short time. For example, such a procedure will be necessary for an urgent trip to regions with high tick-borne activity. While in epidemiologically dangerous areas, it is recommended to take iodantipyrine.

The introduction of the vaccine is carried out only after a detailed questioning, visual inspection and temperature measurement. Persons with inflammatory diseases are not vaccinated until complete recovery.

How to protect yourself from a tick bite?

Going to an unfavorable area, you should choose clothes in light colors:

• a shirt or jacket with cuffs and a tight collar, trousers tucked into boots;
• antiencephalitis suit;
• Thick hood with ties to protect the ears and neck from ticks;
• it is advisable to treat clothes with insecticidal agents.

The best way not to "meet" a tick is to strictly follow all preventive measures

To repel ticks, special insecticidal products based on DEET are produced, but the repellents are not effective enough and require application every 2 hours. They can be treated with open areas of the body and clothing.

Acaricides are more effective. The drugs are used for contact killing of ticks. They can only handle outerwear worn over underwear.

Attention. Often on sale there are acaricides for application to the skin. However, they should be used very carefully. A severe allergic reaction and poisoning are possible.

Tick-borne encephalitis insurance

Recently, the insurance of expenses associated with a possible illness of encephalitis after a “meeting” with a tick has become widespread. Such a measure is often used as an adjunct to vaccination or as an independent measure.

Tick ​​bite treatment costs insurance won't hurt anyone

The insurance will help pay for expensive treatment for tick-borne encephalitis and other infections carried by bloodsuckers.

Attention. The article is for reference only. Competent diagnosis and treatment of diseases is possible only under the supervision of a specialist.

The most common are the first 2 diseases (tick-borne encephalitis and borreliosis), the rest are diagnosed much less frequently. Some ticks can be carriers of several infections at once, and, as a result, infect a person with several diseases at once.

How a tick bites

Females of a tick can remain on the skin from several hours to a week, and males are able to suck for a short time, making small bites. Therefore, for example, if a person saw on his skin a crawling mite, not adhering, it is highly likely that the mite nevertheless inflicted a bite.

Where and when are you most likely to get a tick bite?

People living in disease-endemic areas, as well as those who visit these areas during a special period, from May to mid-June and from late August to late September, are most at risk of contracting a serious illness from a tick bite.

But the danger of being attacked by ticks persists throughout the warm season when visiting almost any forest areas, parks and other areas where there is grass and shady shelters. You can even get a tick bite in your country house or in the adjoining territory of your private house, if the grass has not been mown there.

Maximum number of infected tick bites
registered annually in Siberia, the Urals and the Volga region. However, a considerable number of those bitten annually seek medical help in almost all regions of Russia, including the Crimea and the Caucasus.

What parts of the body does the tick mainly bite on?

Ticks are localized in the grass, mainly at a height of 30 cm, and cling to the legs of those who pass by. Most often, they accumulate on the grass along the paths, smelling people passing here. Sometimes they climb shrubs and lower branches of trees.

Once on the human body, the tick begins to look for places with thin skin, which is easier to bite through, so most often it sticks to the area:

• groin,
• abdomen and lower back,
• underarms,
• breasts,
• ears and neck,
• scalp.

If you suspect a tick bite and for prevention purposes, it is these places that should be most carefully examined after visiting the forest and park.

What does a tick bite look like?

Signs of a tick bite in humans are sometimes limited to only a small reddish spot and swelling in the area of ​​the wound, and after a few days the skin takes on a normal appearance. Under the influence of saliva and microtrauma, which the mite inflicts with the oral apparatus, a slight inflammation and local allergic reaction occurs on the skin. There is no pain, but in some cases a slight itching may be present.

Seeing a doctor is necessary in any case, even if there are no negative reactions from the body. The course of the first stages of dangerous diseases sometimes runs latently, in addition, some diseases have a long incubation period. Only a blood test will confirm the absence of the disease.

Signs of an allergic reaction to a tick bite

Allergy occurs in response to tick saliva getting into the wound. The individual reaction of the body depends on the state of health in general. The consequences of tick bites in allergy sufferers, children, the elderly and people with weakened immunity are more severe. A mild allergic reaction can be relieved with antihistamines.

Common signs of allergies:

• weakness;
• drowsiness;
• joint aches;
• headache;
• nausea;
• dizziness,
• temperature increase;
• itching and rash on the bite and other areas of the body.

With a strong individual allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock may occur, which is preceded by:

• difficulty breathing;
• hallucinations;
• Quincke's edema (rapid and massive swelling of the face, throat, or limbs);
• loss of consciousness.

Anaphylactic shock can be treated with prednisone and epinephrine. If the symptoms after a tick bite indicate a severe allergic reaction, an urgent call for an ambulance is necessary, otherwise it may be fatal.

Signs of developing tick-borne encephalitis

The incubation period for tick-borne encephalitis can last from 4 to 14 days. During this period, the infected person does not have any external health problems. Then the temperature rises sharply to 38-39 ° C, the patient has a fever, appetite disappears, pain in the muscles and eyes, nausea or vomiting, severe headache appears.

Then comes remission, during which the patient feels some relief. This is the second phase of the disease, during which the nervous system is affected. Subsequently, meningitis, encephalitis, and paralysis may develop. If untreated, death is likely.

The problem is that the signs of the disease in the initial stage are often confused with influenza and acute respiratory infections, so they do not go to the doctor, but self-medicate. When a high temperature appears after an identified or suspected tick bite, time should not be wasted - a blood test and hospital treatment are required.

Borreliosis symptoms

If bitten by a borreliosis carrier tick, the site of the bite takes on the form of a specific erythema, which gradually increases to 10-20 cm, and sometimes up to 60 cm in diameter. The erythema spot can be round, oval, or irregular. The victim may experience burning, itching and pain at the site of the bite, but more often the first signs are limited to erythema alone.

After some time, a rich red border forms along the contour of the spot, while the border itself looks a little swollen. In the center, the erythema becomes pale white or cyanotic. After a few days, a crust and scar forms in the area of ​​the bite, which disappear without a trace after about 2 weeks.

The incubation period before the first symptoms appear is from several days to 2 weeks. Then comes the first stage of the disease, which lasts from 3 to 30 days. During this period, the patient experiences muscle aches, headache, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, stiff neck muscles, nausea. Then, for a while, the disease can turn into a latent form for up to several months, during which the heart and joints are affected.

Unfortunately, erythema is often mistaken for a local allergic reaction, with little regard for it. And malaise during the first stage of the disease is attributed to a cold or overwork at work. The disease flows into a latent form, and openly declares itself after a few months, when serious harm has already been done to the body.

Signs of developing other diseases

An increase in temperature to 38 ° C and above may indicate the onset of the development of any of the tick-borne infections. It is important to remember that a symptom such as a fever does not occur immediately after a bite. The incubation period for some diseases can last up to 14 days (ehrlichiosis, hemorrhagic fever), or up to 21 days (tularemia).

Against the background of a high temperature, the following symptoms can also indicate the onset of the disease:

• heart palpitations and pressure surges;
• sore throat, flattened tongue and runny nose;
• anorexia, nausea and vomiting;
• swollen lymph nodes and a rash on the face (typhus);
• nosebleeds, abdominal pain, diarrhea (tularimia);
• chills, sweating, blurred consciousness, back pain (hemorrhagic fever).

After a tick bite, it is necessary to measure the temperature daily for 2 weeks and observe the state of health: any changes that appear should not be ignored.

First aid for a tick bite

You should also consult a doctor if a trace of a possible tick bite was found on the skin or the signs of infection with any of the tick-borne infections described above appear. If necessary, after examination, the doctor prescribes an appropriate course of treatment with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs or recommends immunotherapy.

Taking antibiotics after a tick bite is not always justified. If it is impossible to immediately consult a doctor, for the purpose of emergency prevention, it is better to take immunomodulators (for example, iodantipyrine). Allergy sufferers can take antihistamines.

Everyone knows that ticks are encephalitic, but not everyone understands what this means. And the fact that they endure other diseases is not known at all. We will tell you the symptoms of what diseases can appear after a tick bite.

This article is for people over 18 years of age.

Have you already turned 18?

Every year, as soon as the spring sun comes out, we gather a large company and go to nature to enjoy an appetizing barbecue. And then insects wake up, which are eagerly awaiting us there. We are accustomed to mosquito bites, all the more, it is enough to take a mosquito spray with us, but tick bites can lead to serious consequences.

The tick season usually begins in early April, but in recent years, the first bites are reported as early as March. It lasts until September-October, so even in summer we must not forget about these little pests. Why are ticks so dangerous, what diseases do they carry? Read about the symptoms in humans that may appear after a tick bite.

Tick ​​bite: symptoms in humans

V Europe experts know 15 diseases, and 7 of them are dangerous to people. These are Lyme disease (borreliosis), tick-borne encephalitis, ehrlichiosis, tick-borne relapsing fever, tularemia, babesiosis, spotted fever. The most common are the first 4. These diseases appear after a tick bite, but the main danger in that some of they are asymptomatic.

Doctors never tire of reminding that after a tick bite, you should immediately go to the hospital and take the tick for research. Most people neglect this rule - remove the tick and immediately forget about it. This cannot be done, and so that you are not included in their number, we will tell you what diseases these insects carry and what are the first symptoms of infection.

Borreliosis

In 1975, in Lyme, Connecticut, there were many cases of rheumatoid arthritis in children and adults after exposure to a tick. After the research, scientists were able to establish the cause of the disease - bacteria of the genus Borrelia.

The first signs of borreliosis appear later 7-14 days after the tick bite.The main symptoms are:

• increased body temperature, chills;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• nausea and vomiting;
• at the site of the bite - a bluish-red ring, its diameter gradually increases.

Bacteria literally infect all systems - nervous, circulatory, digestive, musculoskeletal. The disease penetrates into all organs and tissues, and if at first the symptoms resemble ordinary poisoning, then by 4 weeks they will develop into impaired speech and memory, facial paralysis, arrhythmia and dizziness.

Note that there is no vaccine for the prevention of borreliosis. The best prevention is to protect yourself from being bitten.

Ehrlichiosis

Bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia enter human blood with the saliva of a tick. The first signs appear after 7-20 days after the bite.The disease manifests itself in the following symptoms:

• increased body temperature;
• muscle and joint pain;
• general weakness;
• at the site of the bite - a watery vesicle (vesicle), which later turns into an ulcer and becomes covered with a crust.

Ehrlichiosis can be asymptomatic, especially in adults.

Babesiosis

The Babesiidae bacteria that cause this disease infect red blood cells - blood cells. Symptoms:

• dark urine;
• constipation and diarrhea (alternating);
• high temperature;
• general weakness;
• yellowness of the mucous membranes.

The disease may be asymptomatic, in which case it can only be detected after a blood test. It is also known how long after contact with a tick symptoms may appear: 7-15 days.

Tick-borne relapsing fever

A very serious illness, the symptoms of which appear almost instantly:

• high temperature, up to 40C;
• headache and muscle pain;
• disorders of the nervous system.

Pay attention to what the bite looks like: it turns into a small papule, and later a rash appears all over the body.

Spotted fever

This disease manifests itself rather quickly - after 1-2 days after being bitten by an infected tick. Of the symptoms:

• high temperature;
• nosebleed;
• nausea and vomiting;
• violations, temporary loss of consciousness.

After a few more days, hemorrhages can be noticed on the mucous membrane, rashes appear on the skin, alternating with reddish nodules.

Tularemia

This is another dangerous disease that is transmitted through a tick bite. Some of the first symptoms that can be found at home:

• swollen lymph nodes;
• lethargy and weakness;
• intoxication.

Treatment of the diseases described above should begin immediately. Diseases can develop into a chronic form and even lead to death or disability. Moreover, after one bite, you can catch several diseases from a tick at once!

After returning from the street, be sure to examine the entire body for bites. Most often, a tick can be found on the head or on the leg - it is these areas of the skin that remain less protected.

As you can see, we talked about all the diseases, but we kept silent about one. Tick-borne encephalitis is a very serious disease and, unfortunately, the most common one, so we will tell you more about it.

Symptoms of an encephalitis tick bite in humans

To begin with, we note that the word "encephalitis" does not refer to the belonging of a tick to a specific species: it means that it is infected with the encephalitis virus. What is this disease?

Viral encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, accompanied by damage to the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. If treatment is not started on time, the disease begins to progress: a person's speech and memory fail, intellectual abilities decrease, personality degradation / change occurs, paralysis and death are possible.

It is impossible to determine by its appearance whether an insect is infected or not, and that is why doctors ask you to bring the ticks from which you have suffered for analysis in order to eliminate the risks of the disease.

Remember: after a tick bite, you need to see a doctor urgently. There are risks of contracting encephalitis if you feel unwell in the first few days, namely:

• you have an increased body temperature up to 39-40 C, chills;
• the bite site is reddened and very sore;
• you find it difficult to look at the light;
• a rash appeared on the body;
• there is nausea and vomiting;
• you experience headache and weakness, aching muscles and joints.

With viral encephalitis, symptoms may subside within a few days, so it can be easily confused with the common cold. But after a while they are repeated, and there can be about 10 such waves.

Symptoms may appear after 2 days, or after 3 weeks. Sometimes the disease manifests itself asymptomatically, and this makes encephalitis even more dangerous, because the more the disease progresses, the more difficult it is to cure it.

Summarizing all of the above, we can draw a specific conclusion: after a tick bite, you need to immediately consult a doctor in order to eliminate the risks of diseases. When you remove the tick, try to do it as carefully as possible so that it stays alive. Then put it in a small jar - and run to the laboratory! You will also need to donate blood there.

But it's best to avoid tick bites. When going outdoors, wear closed shoes and long sleeves. Cover your neck, armpits, head, and tuck your pants into your socks. Girls must braid their hair and hide it under a hat or kerchief. Do not forget about special insect repellents.

Remember that ticks are mostly scrub and dry, so don't climb unnecessarily. As soon as you get home, inspect all your things, shake them thoroughly. This is the only way to protect yourself from dangerous diseases carried by these insects!

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