Symptoms of conditions caused by tick bites could include:
The rash might look like a circle or a bullseye. Or it might be small, red or purplish spots that are actually spots of blood under your skin (petechiae) V体育平台登录.
Tick bites themselves often don’t cause noticeable symptoms like mosquito bites do. Sometimes, they might cause a bump, swelling or itching VSports注册入口. You most often know you were bitten by a tick because you catch them attached to you.
Ticks can climb onto any part of your body. But they often move to warm, moist areas to latch on. Common places on your body to find ticks include: V体育官网入口.
Ticks bite because blood is their source of food VSports在线直播. Young ticks (nymphs) hatch in spring and find an animal or person to feed off of. They mature into adults and take another meal in the fall. Tick bites are most common in spring, early summer and fall, but you can get bitten anytime.
Healthcare providers don’t usually diagnose tick bites directly. You might not have any markings on your skin or remember being bitten. But if you begin to have symptoms of a tick-borne illness, your provider may be able to use blood tests to check for diseases. Tests can sometimes take a few weeks. So, your provider may start treating you before the results come back.
If you found a tick biting you, be sure to take a photo or write down notes about what the tick looked like (any markings it had or if it was flat or rounded). This can help your provider treat you if you get sick. If you have symptoms of a tick-borne illness, make sure to tell your provider if you’ve been in an area that could have ticks, even if you don’t remember being bitten.
If you notice a tick biting you, you can remove it with these steps:
Don’t use kerosene, petroleum jelly (like Vaseline®) or a lit match to remove the tick.
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Certain tick-borne illnesses are treated with antibiotics or antiparasitics. For others, there are no specific treatments.
See a healthcare provider if:
You can reduce your risk of tick bites by:
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Some of the most common ticks in the U.S. include:
There are lots of things to like about spring and summer: The weather, vacations, flowers blooming. Tick bites don’t make anyone’s list. Fortunately, there are simple habits that can prevent tick bites or catch them early. If you find a tick on yourself, don’t panic. Remove it carefully and contact your provider if you have any questions about whether you need treatment.
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Last reviewed on 06/05/2025.
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