Tick bites on humans can cause illness and complications. A 5-year-old boy in Ohio experienced temporary paralysis as a result.
Flea-like tick bites on humans , how dangerous are they?
According to Sami Mell’s story, one day last month, her son Avery Mell suddenly fell face first in their bathroom.
He immediately took Avery to the hospital, saying he was unable to eat on his own and was also having difficulty breathing.
Doctors say they can’t explain what caused Avery’s illness.
According to the report, when Sami found the tick in his son’s ear, it was the size of a quarter dollar coin. And this is said to be the cause of the paralysis that Avery experienced. The flea-like appearance of a tick bite in humans can cause serious complications, so it is important to identify and treat it immediately.
Tick causes paralysis in child
Avery’s condition improved immediately after the tick behind his ear was removed. Avery’s mother, Sami, believes her daughter got it while playing outside their house.
Doctors were surprised by the cause of Sami’s paralysis.
“The infectious disease doctor of 30 years said he’s never seen [anything] like it.”
This was allegedly the doctor’s description of Avery’s illness, shared by Avery’s grandfather, David Goslin, in a report.
In addition to Avery, a 7-year-old girl in Colorado has also fallen ill from a tick bite. According to a report, the child contracted it while staying at an overnight camp.
What is tick paralysis?
According to the American Lyme Disease Foundation, the tick paralysis that Avery experienced is caused by five tick species.
Tick paralysis is caused by the bite of a pregnant female tick that produces a neurotoxin. This toxin is transferred from the female tick to a human when it bites.
Based on experiments, the largest amount of toxin is released by a tick bite on the fifth and seventh day of its residence in its victim’s body.
Ticks live outdoors and often prey on people and pets.
What does a tick look like?
Ticks live by feeding on the blood of humans or pets. Ticks vary in size and can grow to the size of a pencil eraser.
The color of a tick can be brown, red, or black.
As the tick sucks blood, it grows larger. After sucking blood from its victim for several days, its color turns greenish-blue.
The appearance of a tick bite on humans can show as redness, itching, or hives. The appearance of a tick bite on humans can be a sign of possible complications, so it is important to identify and treat it immediately. Ticks love to stay in warm, moist areas of the body. Some of the areas of the body they like to live in are the armpits, groin, and hair.
The tick remains on the human body even after it has bitten or sucked blood. After ten days of sucking blood from its victim, the tick grows, causing it to spontaneously fall off or be removed from its victim.
Symptoms of tick bites in humans
Most often, a spider bite is harmless to humans. However, there are times when it can cause an allergic reaction which can also cause a very dangerous and potentially fatal illness.
If a person is allergic to tick bites, these are the symptoms they will experience.
- Pain or swelling at the site of the tick bite
- Rashes
- Burning sensation from tick bites
- Blisters or pallets
- Difficulty breathing
Tick bites can also cause illness in humans. Symptoms appear a few days or weeks after the tick bite. They are as follows:
- Red spot or rash near the tick bite
- Rashes all over the body
- Stiff neck
- Headache
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Muscle o joint pain
- Fever
- Chills or body tremors
- Great
Image from Freepik
If you experience or feel these symptoms, you should immediately go to a doctor to be examined and treated for the illness it causes.
Some of the diseases that can be transmitted by tick bites are the following:
- Lyme disease
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Colorado tick fever
- Tularemia
- Ehrlichiosis
How to treat the pain caused by a tick bite
The most important thing to do to relieve the symptoms of a tick bite in humans is to remove or remove it from the skin.
Once the tick is removed, immerse it in rubbing alcohol to ensure it dies.
Then wash the area where the tick bit you with soap and water.
In cases where a tick bite has become infected, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat it.
How to avoid tick-borne infections and diseases
To avoid getting sick or infected from ticks, you must first avoid getting them. This can be done in the following ways:
- Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants when walking in woods or grassy areas that are often inhabited by ticks.
- Use tick repellents that contain 20% DEET.
- Apply or use 0.5 permethrin on clothes.
- Make it a habit to check tick-prone areas on the body such as armpits, behind the ears, between the thighs or groin, behind the knees and hair.
Tick bites on humans often cause infection within 24 hours. Therefore, it is best to remove them immediately when they are found on the body.
How to get rid of ticks in the house
To make your home tick-free, here are the steps you can take.
1. Clean the house thoroughly
- Vacuum carpets, furniture, and pet beds. Make sure to dispose of the vacuum properly.
- Wash tick-infested bedding and clothing in hot water.
2. Use insecticide or repellent
- Choose an insecticide that contains permethrin or bifenthrin. You can also use diatomaceous earth or essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint.
3. Treat the pet
- Use tick collars, spot treatments, or shampoos for your pets. Also bathe them regularly and check for ticks.
4. Avoid ticks outdoors
- Cut the grass and plants around the house.
- Create a barrier using wood or gravel between the yard and grassy areas.
5. Regular check-ups
- Always check pets and family members especially after playing or walking outside.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Philippines
