Ticks, Lyme, Co-infections, health, community, exchange of ideas
Ticks are tiny insects that feed on the blood of animal or human hosts. While they are not all dangerous, it’s impossible to tell which ones harbor disease and which ones are simply trying to survive by feeding. That’s why it’s vital to learn how to identify ticks if you spend time outdoors. If you’re looking for an easy way to learn how to spot ticks, read on for a complete tick identification guide.
Continue reading “A Guide To Tick Identification”
In the summer months, with the warmer weather and longer daylight hours, ticks are out in full swing looking for their next meal. Normally, ticks like to feed on small rodents, cattle animals, and deer; however, if a human happens to make it into their area, they’ll latch on and feed without any issue. The problem is that some ticks carry infectious diseases, such as Lyme disease and Rickettsia.
Taking precautions against being bitten by a tick is the first line of defense against the harmful infections they carry. Wearing light-colored, baggy clothes and wearing a bug spray with DEET are both helpful ways to prevent a bite. However, even the most tick-conscious people can fall victim to these dangerous little creatures. If you do happen to find a tick on you after spending some time in the great outdoors, it’s important that you know how to properly remove the tick, and what to do with it to get it tested for disease.
Continue reading “How To Preserve A Tick For Medical Testing”
As the warm weather approaches and activities such as hiking become more inviting, many people will flock to wooded areas to enjoy the best Mother Nature has to offer. Research shows that being in nature is a great way to combat stress and improve overall levels of health – however, there are some risks associated with being in the great outdoors. One particular risk is getting bit by a tick.
A tick bite is no ordinary bug bite. This is because of the diseases ticks can carry. One such disease is Lyme disease, which, if left untreated, can lead to chronic health issues. Diseased ticks can also carry other types of infections such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Bourbon virus, Colorado tick fever, Heartland virus, Rocky mountain spotted fever, and Tularemia.
Ticks are small arachnids that thrive in wooded areas, grasslands, and forests. Their survival relies on their ability to find a host and feed on its blood. There are many different species of ticks that can be found in North America. Some exclusively feed on wild animals, but there are some that will latch onto a human to get their meal. Those types of ticks are the ones you’ll need to watch out for while you’re out enjoying the fresh air. But how can you spot a tick? And how do you know which ones pose the most danger? Read on for our beginner’s guide to how to identify different types of ticks.
Continue reading “How To Identify Different Types Of Ticks: A Beginner’s Guide”