Lyme disease is no small problem. This condition can last a long time and have devastating effects on your well-being. Ticks bites cause Lyme disease and other conditions that need a physician’s care, so it’s important to know how to identify the symptoms.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common symptoms of tick-borne disease include:
- Fever/chills: Sudden hikes in your temperature, cold sweats and chills in the middle of a hot summer day can indicate Lyme disease or other tick-borne illness.
- Aches and pains: Pain from tick bites may be difficult to distinguish from normal aches that come with activity or accident. If your symptoms include headache, fatigue and/or muscle aches, however, you should follow up with your doctor.
- Rash: Tick bites can produce a distinctive rash pattern, including the “bullseye” rash. However, not every tick bite produces a rash, and you may be affected with Lyme disease without ever seeing a rash.
What to do if you are bitten
If you see a tick on your skin, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick by its head next to the skin. Slowly pull backwards, giving the tick time to disengage its mouthparts so they do not detach inside the skin and cause an infection. Disinfect the bite site and apply an antibiotic, then see your doctor right away. Save the tick in a tightly sealed container and deliver it to your physician or public health department for inspection for Lyme Disease.
Keep ticks away from your home
Call on the leading pest control company in Monmouth and Ocean Counties to protect your home from ticks, bed bugs and other biting insects.