Ticks are small arthropods that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are common in areas with tall grasses, bushes, and forests. Tick bites are typically harmless, but some ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme disease. Knowing how to identify and remove ticks properly is important to reduce the risk of infection.
What does a tick look like?
Ticks have eight legs and oval or rounded bodies that become engorged as they feed. They have no antennae and their bodies are divided into two primary sections – the front capitulum that contains the head and mouthparts and the rear idiosoma that contains the legs, digestive system and reproductive organs. Ticks go through four life stages – egg, six-legged larva, eight-legged nymph, and adult. The larvae, nymphs and adults all require a blood meal to develop to the next stage.
Some common ticks in the United States include:
- Blacklegged tick (or deer tick) – Very small with black legs and a black rounded body. Can transmit Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. Nymphs and adult females most commonly bite humans.
- Lone star tick – Named for white dot on female’s back. Reddish brown body. Transmits tularemia, ehrlichiosis, southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), and red meat allergy.
- American dog tick (or wood tick) – Larger with white/gray body marked with brown/black spots. Can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and ehrlichiosis.
- Brown dog tick – Reddish brown body, males have silver markings. Can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and bacterial diseases in dogs.
Sizes of ticks
Tick size varies by species and life stage:
- Larvae are less than 1mm in size, about the size of a poppy seed.
- Nymphs are 1-2mm in size, about the size of a pinhead.
- Adult ticks are 2-6mm in size depending on species, females are larger than males when engorged with blood.
What does a harmless tick bite look like?
Most tick bites are harmless and result in only minor irritation, redness, swelling or itching around the bite. A harmless tick bite will often look like:
- A small red bump or mild irritation at the bite site.
- A slightly swollen or hardened area around the bite.
- A small scab or crust where the tick was embedded.
- Mild itching or discomfort around the bite.
The area may be slightly pink or inflamed for a couple days after the bite, but serious symptoms are unlikely. The bite should heal quickly if the tick is removed promptly and properly.
Appearance of harmless bites by tick species
Bites may vary slightly depending on the tick species:
| Tick Species | Appearance of Harmless Bites |
|---|---|
| Blacklegged tick | Small red bump or mild pink inflammation at bite site. Should heal within 1-2 weeks. |
| Lone star tick | Pink irritated area, may take 10+ days to heal. Bite can cause mild allergic reaction. |
| American dog tick | Slightly inflamed, may have small scab. Heals within 1-2 weeks. |
| Brown dog tick | Reddened area with possible mild itching. Heals in about a week. |
How long does a harmless tick bite last?
For most people, the irritation and inflammation from a harmless tick bite resolves within 1-2 weeks after the tick is removed. Some key points on duration:
- Bite irritation is usually worst within the first 48 hours.
- Redness, swelling, and itching at the site typically improve after a few days.
- Small scab may form and last 5-7 days before healing.
- Mild pinkness or hardness at bite site can last up to 2 weeks.
- Lone star tick bites may take 10+ days to fully heal.
Monitor for any spreading redness, expanding rash or other symptoms. See your doctor promptly if the bite does not heal or gets worse instead of better over time.
Healing stages of harmless tick bites
Here are the typical healing stages of harmless tick bites:
| Timeframe | Healing Stages |
|---|---|
| Days 1-3 | Bite appears as a red, irritated bump. Swelling and mild itching. |
| Days 3-7 | Bite may form a small scab, swelling/itching improves. |
| Days 7-14 | Scab falls off, redness and hardness resolves. |
| After day 14 | Bite site completely healed, only faint mark remains. |
Signs of a potentially infected tick bite
While most tick bites do not result in infection, it is important to watch for signs that bacteria or other pathogens may have been transmitted by a bite. See a healthcare provider promptly if you experience:
- Expanding rash – Rash with bull’s-eye pattern or diffuse redness expanding from bite.
- Flu-like symptoms – Fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue.
- Joint pain or swelling.
- Headache, confusion.
- Cough, shortness of breath.
- Pus, oozing or discharge from the bite.
- Red streaking from the bite site.
- Lymph node swelling.
These can indicate a tick-borne illness such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, tularemia, or others requires treatment.
Lyme disease rash appearance
One of the most common tick-borne diseases is Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Early Lyme disease may produce an expanding “bull’s-eye” rash at the bite site within 3-30 days along with flu symptoms. The rash may look like:
- Round or oval shaped rash expanding over several days.
- Central redness with partial clearing in center giving bull’s-eye appearance.
- Additional red rings surrounding central spot.
- Warm to touch but typically not painful or itchy.
- Rash expands gradually over days to weeks, can reach up to 12 inches wide.
- May occur at multiple places on body, not just bite site.
However, many people with Lyme disease do not develop a rash at all. Pay attention to any flu-like symptoms that emerge within 1-2 weeks of a tick bite.
Steps to remove a tick and treat the bite
If you find a tick attached to your skin, follow these steps:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull straight up with steady pressure to remove the entire tick – do not twist.
- Thoroughly wash the bite area and your hands with soap and water.
- Apply antiseptic cream or hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching.
- Watch for symptoms of infection as described above.
- Contact your doctor if symptoms appear or if unable to fully remove the tick.
Avoid using vasoline, matches, or other methods that may agitate the tick during removal. Remove ticks promptly to reduce disease transmission.
Tick removal tips
Follow these tips when removing ticks:
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Pull straight up with tweezers | Twist or jerk the tick |
| Grab close to skin surface | Squeeze or crush the tick’s body |
| Wash hands and bite area thoroughly | Miss mouthparts left in skin |
| Monitor for symptoms | Use irritants like matches or vaseline |
Preventing tick bites
You can take these precautions to avoid tick bites when spending time in wooded, brushy or grassy areas:
- Wear light colored long pants and long sleeves.
- Tuck pant legs into socks or boots.
- Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Conduct tick checks when returning from outdoors.
- Stay on trails and avoid high grass and brush.
- Shower and wash/dry clothes on high heat after being outdoors.
- Consider treating clothing, gear and pets with permethrin.
- Clear leaves/brush around your home.
Protecting pets from ticks
To protect pets from ticks:
- Ask your vet about tick prevention products.
- Check pets daily for ticks and remove promptly.
- Limit time in wooded/grassy areas.
- Groom regularly to find ticks.
- Vacuum home and wash pet bedding regularly.
When to see a doctor for a tick bite
See a healthcare provider if:
- You develop symptoms like rash, fever, chills, joint pain, or lymph node swelling.
- The bite does not heal within 2 weeks.
- Signs of infection appear such as pus, streaking redness, or swollen glands near the bite.
- Flu-like symptoms emerge within days to weeks after the bite.
- You are unable to completely remove the tick.
Early treatment of tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease produces better results. Notify your doctor of any recent tick bites.
Questions to ask your doctor
Questions to ask include:
- Could this bite have transmitted disease?
- Should I get tested for Lyme or other tick-borne diseases?
- When would symptoms be expected to appear?
- What signs or symptoms should I watch for?
- Is antibiotic treatment recommended?
Conclusion
Most small tick bites heal on their own within 1-2 weeks if the tick is removed promptly and properly. Typical appearance includes a mild red bump or irritation at the bite site. However, some tick species can transmit diseases like Lyme, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and ehrlichiosis. Seek medical care if flu symptoms, rash, joint pain or other concerning symptoms develop after a bite. Taking steps to prevent tick bites and conducting prompt tick removal reduce the risks from these common seasonal pests.