Tick Bites And Symptoms: Everything You Need To Know To Properly React

January 11th, 2010 Posted in Spiders & Other Arachnids



Finding a tick bite on your arm is very annoying. A red circular bump that constantly itches is not a pleasant thing to have.


Tick Bites And Symptoms



Therefore, it is important to identify the source of these tick bites, as well as how to treat the bites you already have. So, what can be done to help stop this problem from continuing?

Want to learn the answer to these important questions?


Identifying The Source Of The Tick Bites And Symptoms

There are more than 500 species of ticks world-wide, which leaves lots of opportunities for you to get bitten. If you’ve already gotten bitten by a tick it is important to know where the tick that bit you came from, in order to prevent it from happening again. Ticks are most often found in grassy areas and in the woods, so 9 times out of 10 this is how a tick found you.


Tick Bites And Symptoms



People most often get bitten by ticks when they go hiking or go on camping trips. Being in the wilderness and not being prepared are the main reasons why people get tick bites. Most people experience fevers, headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, and a severe rash. If you have these symptoms you were most likely bitten by a tick, so make sure to check your body for little red bumps.


What To Do To Prevent Future Tick Bites

Here are a few ways to help you stop getting bitten by ticks:

Avoid Environments Prone To Ticks
Ticks like to be environments that are humid and moist. They enjoy the woods and grassy areas, basically any areas outside. You will probably come in contact with them when you are outdoors, so avoid being outside as often as possible.


Tick Bites And Symptoms



Use Repellent
When you do have to go outside make sure to spray insect repellent on your skin and clothing. Use EcoSMART’s Insect Repellent to help repel ticks from your body.

Wear Light Colored Clothing
Wearing light colored clothing will help you see any ticks crawling on your clothes when you are in tick prone environments.

Wear Proper Clothing
Tuck your pant legs into your shoes to cover any skin from being exposed. Wear long pants and long sleeve shirts to help cover all your skin. This is one of the most important and easy ways to prevent ticks from biting into your skin.


How To Treat Your Tick Bites

Even using the above tactics will not always prevent yourself from getting bitten. Thus, following these steps will help you treat your tick bites.

  1. Do not use your bare hands to remove the tick

  2. Grab some tweezers and be careful not to crush the body of the tick

  3. If you rip the tick from your body in the wrong way it will inject its stomach contents into your wound

  4. Gently pull the tick from the wound vertically, being careful not to jerk the tick’s body

  5. Make sure to examine the wound to see if you got all the tick parts of your body

  6. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water

  7. If any flu-like symptoms occur 2 to 3 days after being bitten make sure to consult a physician



  1. 3 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!

  2. By Meaghan F. on May 1, 2010

    When I was thirteen, I went hiking with my father in the middle of nowhere. I was covered completely and after a hour, I had six ticks on me. I have been scared of hiking ever since, so thanks for putting the tips up because I live in a very rural area and the fear of getting ticks makes me avoid the great outdoors that I love so much.

  3. By Beth on Nov 27, 2010

    I can usually tell when my big dog has ticks. He starts gulping like he is sick to his stomach. I am assuming they make him sick. He usually improves shortly after removal of the ticks. I am still looking for a (hopefully) long lasting method of keeping the ticks out of my yard.

  4. By trishden on Jun 26, 2011

    Hello, as someone who is suffering from chronic Lyme disease and had it way back in the 1990, first time was pretty much cured and then got reinfected again in 2007. I can tell you that your advice for tick removal is good but you should ephasize the importance of seeing a Lyme literate MD. This disease is nothing to take lightly as it can lead to Encephalitis and death. What many people don’t know is that the tick can be tested for the disease. So, people should be saving the tick, just in case they do have an advers reaction, then they can have the tick tested and know for sure. Testing the tick is more reliable then testing the person as the tests can be flawed. Just an FYI. Thanks!

3 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers! (details)