The majority of tick bites are not medically significant, but a number of conditions could develop. Often the symptoms of a tick bite are the best indicators for diagnosis. This leads to the best course of treatment for each patient.
General Tick Bite Symptoms
Tick bites can cause a wide array of symptoms that appear within three weeks of the bite. These include fever, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, stomach ache, headaches and rashes.
Lock Jaw
Lock jaw can develop from tick bites and often is avoided by having a tetanus shot.
Lyme Disease
While Lyme disease is one of the more serious tick bite conditions, it is hard to diagnose. It mirrors many other sicknesses and is treated with antibiotics. Lyme disease will sometimes cause a rash that resembles a bull's-eye.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is characterized by a petechial rash. This rash will show up on the hands and feet and then spread to the rest of the body if not treated.
Ehrlichiosis
Ehrlichiosis is passed via tick bites to humans. This disease is difficult to diagnose due to the similarities to other conditions. Ehrlichiosis is characterized by a rash and extreme fevers and headaches.
Anaphylaxis
While allergic reactions to tick bites are common, they are generally mild in nature. Occasionally, one might experience an extreme form of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This is a medical emergency and can lead to shock or even death.
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