You have an itch, and when you go to relieve it there is a mysterious black marking there.
Curious, and a little frantic, you begin investigating, only to find a tick has invaded your body without permission or warning.
Ticks are arachnids that feed on the blood of other animals, and they are known to transmit many different diseases between hosts.
These ectoparasites are found all over the world, and no one is immune. But with the right amount of precaution you can greatly reduce your risk of catching a bite from one of these small creatures.
You may not be scared of ticks, and maybe you’ve even been bit dozens of times with no symptoms over the years.
Now would be a good time to begin caution before your luck runs out. Contracting a disease from a tick can affect the rest of your life, especially if you are bit by a tick carrying Lyme disease.
Lyme infection begins with fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes, according to WebMd.
The medical site goes on to reveal symptoms if left untreated, leaving you with a severe headache, stiff neck, rashes, arthritis, loss of muscle tone, a droopy face, heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, inflammation of the brain, and more.
Every individual does not always have every one of these symptoms, so if you develop any of them after a tick bite seek medical attention.
The longer a tick is attached, the higher the chances are of contracting an illness from them.
Acting fast is key, but even more essential is protecting yourself from ever having the tick hitch a free ride in the first place.
Let’s review some of the best defenses against ticks, so you can enjoy the warming weather.