What happens if you get bitten by a tick?

Do all tick bites cause infection?  Have you ever wondered what happens if you get bitten by a tick?

Not all ticks carry infectious diseases.  Most tick bites are harmless.  Depending on where you live, more than 50% of ticks can carry harmful diseases.  Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne illness.  The lesser-known Powassan virus is one potentially fatal tick-borne disease.  No matter where you live, some form of tick control could be a matter of life and death.  Let’s assume for the purpose of this article, that your tick bite is from a non-infectious tick.

What happens if you get bitten by tick?
What happens if you get bitten by a non-infectious tick?

What happens if you get bitten by a tick that is not a disease carrier?

remove tick with tweezer
Remove the tick with tweezers.

If a non-infected tick latches onto your skin, the most damage it can cause is irritation or infection of the bite site.  This often happens if you attempt to get the tick out, but the head or mouth parts remain in your skin.  What can you do to remove a tick head or its mouth parts?  According to one source, you can attempt removal the same way you would if you had a splinter.

  1. Wash thoroughly with soap and warm water.
  2. Apply rubbing alcohol to the bite area.
  3. Use a sterile needle to gently lift the skin above the lodged tick parts.
  4. Gently remove the tick parts from your skin.

If you cannot get the tick parts out of your skin, they might work themselves out over the next few days.  Keep an eye on your tick bite.  If you notice pain, redness, or swelling, it could be infected.  At that time, seek medical attention to treat the infection and have the tick parts removed.

It is very important to remember the proper methods of tick removal when removing any tick.  Often, petroleum jelly or a match is recommended by the masses.  Do not use either of those methods for removing a tick.  Spend two minutes watching this video to see how to properly remove a tick.

Tick control is an essential element in remaining virtually tick-free.

Dave Macchia mosquito conrol and tick control enthusiast
Dave Macchia
Central Mass enthusiast for effective season-long mosquito and tick protection

All Central Mass residents are aware of the threat of ticks.  With rising tick populations, homeowners are wising up to proper tick protection.  Hiring a reputable tick control company is essential in the fight against tick bites.  These companies offer barrier tick control, as well as protection in the fall and winter with tick tubes.

Also read: Can I remove a tick with peppermint oil?