Informational only — Not medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider.

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Community data Updated 4 weeks ago

Tick bites

Tick bites

injuries other
0 medicines 4 symptoms

Overview

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Ticks are small, spider-like creatures. They feed on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans.

Ticks vary in size and are usually between 1mm to 1cm long. They have either 6 or 8 legs.

Common Symptoms

Bruising Swelling itchiness blistering

⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.

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Medicines Commonly Used

⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.

No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.

Prevention

There are a few simple steps you can take to help prevent tick bites.

Do

  • stay on paths and avoid long grass when walking outdoors
  • wear a long sleeved shirt and trousers tucked into your socks when walking outdoors
  • wear light coloured fabrics for walking, as this may help you spot a tick on your clothing
  • use insect repellent on exposed skin
  • check your skin and clothing for ticks after being outdoors
  • check your children's skin for ticks, especially the head and neck areas, including their scalp
  • check that pets do not bring ticks into your home in their fur

Complications

If you get a tick bite, remove the tick as soon as you can. Doing this quickly lowers your chance of getting a tick borne infection such as Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection. It causes a pink or red circular rash to form around the spot where you were bitten.

Only a small number of ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, so being bitten does not mean you will definitely be infected. Even so, it is worth staying alert to the risk and speaking to a GP if you start to feel unwell.

Find out more about Lyme disease.

Where are ticks found?

Ticks feed on many kinds of mammals and birds, including squirrels, deer, sheep and garden birds. Because of this, they are usually found in places where these animals live, such as:

  • woodland
  • moorland
  • grassy areas
  • gardens
  • parks

Ticks cannot fly or jump. Instead, they climb onto animals or people as they brush past.

When is tick season?

Tick season usually runs from March to October, though it can last longer, since wet weather and warmer temperatures keep ticks active for more of the year.

It is worth staying aware of ticks all year round, because some symptoms of a tick bite, including inflammation, can take 2 to 3 months to appear.