Tick Bite Pictures

Just the mention of ticks makes people worry.  These tiny parasites are actually arachnids, with adults of the species having eight legs instead of six in the immature counter-parts.  Ticks are known for burying their head into their host animal in order to gorge themselves on blood, then detaching once they've had their fill.  Since the ticks bury their heads when they bite, they are more difficult to remove than other similar insects.  If the head gets ripped off during the removal process, the area can become infected easily. 

In addition to their difficult to remove feeding habits, they are also hosts and transmitters of several different diseases.  Lyme disease, Colorado tick fever, and tularemia are all diseases that are commonly transmitted by ticks.  While many people are concerned every time they are bit, ticks do not always transmit the disease even if they are carrying it. 

These tick bite pictures can tell you if you have anything to worry about.

Ticks should be carefully removed once they have been discovered feeding on you.  Using tweezers, gently pinch the tick on the neck and pull.  Don't pull too hard or you could, literally, rip its head off.  If the head remains inside the bite, the wound cannot heal properly and is prone to developing severe infections.
This bulls-eye rash is common with tick bites, and is considered one of the first signs of Lyme disease.  Lyme disease is a bacterial disease that is commonly transmitted by deer ticks.  the symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, and eventually damage to the joints and central nervous system.  The illness can be treated with antibiotics if caught early enough.
Ticks are very small, and can be difficult to find if they have attached themselves in an area with a lot of hair.  If you go into an area that is known to have high populations of ticks, you should check yourself when finished.  The sooner you find a feeding tick and remove it, the less likely you will contract a disease from the bite.
If you have been bitten by a tick and develop the bulls-eye rash, you should have it examined by a doctor.  The rash is very distinct and unique to Lyme disease.  The area around the bite will be a red circle, with a white outer ring, then a larger red circle that typically blend into the skin around the edges.  This rash can grow over time to take up a larger area of skin.  Once the rash is detected, you should be checked for Lyme disease. It will typically start to develop a week or two after the tick bite.
Ticks will remain attached until they are completely full.  An engorged tick becomes much larger than one that has not fed in a while.  Once the tick has had its fill, it will fall off of the host animal and move on.  Ticks will attach to any warm blooded mammal, including dogs, cats, farm animals, and even rats.
This is a tick feeding on a human.  Notice how the head is buried and the area around is a bright red.  This is due to the blood flowing to the area to help flush out the tick, which only allows them to feed more.

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