How ticks get on a person, where they bite and what to do if the parasite has bitten, but not stuck

What does a tick look like

The most dangerous type of ticks are iscod. It is they who carry deadly diseases for humans. The bloodsucker has an oval brown body, 8 paws, a small head. The length of the female in a hungry state is about 4 mm, males - up to 2,5 mm. The parasite drunk with blood increases in size by 10-15 mm.

Habitat and season of activity of ticks

Bloodsuckers begin to show seasonal activity at positive temperatures in the daytime. The peak of activity begins when the average daily temperature reaches +10-15 degrees. Parasites love wetlands, shade, high humidity. Contrary to popular belief, they do not know how to jump high and far, do not live in trees. They wait for their prey on tall blades of grass, small bushes.

What sense organs help ticks find prey?

Ticks see very poorly; some subspecies of ixodid have no organs of vision. But they have a well-developed sense of smell and touch, it is these organs that play a key role in the search for a victim. The organs of touch are special hairs-sensilas located throughout the body of the insect.

With the help of these hairs, the bloodsucker receives information about the surrounding world: temperature, humidity, and so on. The main olfactory organ is Haller's organ, it is located on a pair of front legs.

The first section of the Galera organ is sensitive to carbon dioxide exhaled by a potential victim. The second section of the Galera organ allows the tick to feel the infrared radiation of humans and animals from a distance of half a meter, and also to respond to the components of the victim's smell.

Is the tick hunting or accidentally falling on its prey

Only adult arthropods that have reached the stage of adult development are able to hunt specifically. Larvae and nymphs are not able to move long distances, crawl onto blades of grass, but they live in the ground, leafy litter and can accidentally get on birds, rodents and other small animals, and from them move on to a larger prey.

The mechanism of tick attack and structural features of their oral apparatus

All they do is find a good spot and wait. As soon as the bloodsucker catches the stimuli of a potential victim, the second stage of the attack begins - the active one.

The tick turns towards the object of interest and makes oscillatory movements with its front paws until contact with the host occurs.

Some subspecies may still pursue prey. This occurs in cases where the pest picks up stimuli for a long time, but the object does not approach. In this case, the tick may fall from its waiting place and overcome several meters.

Having come into contact with the host, the pest firmly clings to it with the help of hooks, spikes and bristles. These organs help the parasite to move along the prey, as well as to stay in place for a long time when trying to shake it off.

The oral apparatus of the pest is designed in a special way, which allows it to firmly stick to the skin, but at the same time remain unnoticed by the victim. The organ consists of the following elements: sharp teeth directed backwards, pedipalps, chelicerae, and proboscis-hypostome.

Where do ticks most often bite?

Ticks can bite anywhere, but their favorite areas are where there is good blood supply and thin skin. Children are most often bitten on the head, while in adults, bites in this part of the body are extremely rare. People over the age of 16 are most often bitten by ticks in the following parts of the body:

• inguinal region, buttocks;
• shoulders, upper arms on the inside;
• back of the neck;
• popliteal fossae.

What does a tick bite look like

The bite of this parasite resembles the bites of other insect pests. A red rounded spot forms on the skin. Sometimes the shape may be oval or the spot may be irregular in shape.

Instructions on what to do after a tick bite if it has not stuck

The degree of risk of infection with tick-borne infections is directly proportional to the duration of suction of the bloodsucker. But you can get infected even if the tick just crawled over the skin. Therefore, if the pest has bitten, you must immediately take action.

Antibiotics for a tick bite

In order to prevent infectious diseases within 72 hours after the bite, it is necessary to take antibacterial drugs in the dosage prescribed by the doctor. In addition, the doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs.

First aid for a bite

First aid to the victim should include the following actions:

1. Contact the nearest medical center. Doctors will remove the insect painlessly, which will help to avoid complications.
2. If there is no medical facility nearby, remove the bloodsucker yourself. Care must be taken to ensure that the head of the tick does not remain under the skin.
3. Place the parasite in a container with a tight lid. Within 2 days it must be taken to the laboratory for analysis in order to study it for infection.
4. Treat the bite site with any disinfectant at hand: iodine, alcohol, brilliant green, hydrogen peroxide.
5. Go to the hospital as soon as possible.

Where to go for a tick bite

The insect must be submitted for analysis within 2 days after the bite. If it turns out that it is infected, timely treatment will increase the chance of a positive outcome.

Allergic reaction to a tick bite

When bitten, an allergic reaction to the parasite's saliva enzymes can occur. At the initial stage, it can be confused with the manifestation of borreliosis, but unlike this disease, allergy is a relatively safe consequence. A reaction may occur within 48 hours of being bitten. Allergy symptoms include:

• rash, redness, and itching along with the bite;
• tearing and redness of the eyes;
• nasal congestion.

Symptoms after a tick bite and infection with tick-borne encephalitis

Infection with tick-borne encephalitis cannot be determined immediately - no changes occur at the site of the bite. The virus penetrates into the lymph nodes and blood, symptoms appear at the time of mass reproduction of the virus, most often in the second week after the bite. The first phase of the disease has the following symptoms:

• fever;
• headache;
• muscle pain.

At this stage, the immune system can cope with the virus on its own, or the second phase of the development of the disease begins:

• acute headache in the neck;
• violation of motor functions;
• photophobia;
• memory impairment.

Tick-borne encephalitis is a serious disease that in some cases leads to disability or death.

Tick-borne encephalitis treatment

There is no specific treatment for tick-borne encephalitis; treatment is supportive. Antipyretic drugs, droppers, physiotherapy, massage are used.

Symptoms after a tick bite and borreliosis infection with lyme disease

Lyme disease has 3 stages of development, each with specific symptoms:

Borreliosis treatment

Antibacterial therapy has been successfully used to treat Lyme disease. Treatment of the disease at an advanced stage is not always successful.

How to reduce the risk of dangerous infection

It is necessary to think about how to protect yourself from infection with infections carried by ticks even before the start of the season of their activity. The set of measures should include the following:

1. Vaccination. The vaccine allows you to form a strong immunity to tick-borne encephalitis. The first vaccination is given before the start of the season, the second - after 1-3 months, the third - after a year.
2. Health insurance. It is impossible to get free medicines for the prevention of encephalitis under compulsory health insurance, so it is recommended to purchase a special policy under which you can get immunoglobulin in case of emergency for free.
3. Protective clothing and means. When walking in places where ticks like to live, it is necessary to use special protective preparations and choose the right clothes.