Tick Bite Rash is a common condition that affects people who walk in forests, gardens or fields. Read and know all about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of these rashes.
Description
Page Contents
As the name indicates, it is a type of rash that arises on the skin of a person after getting bitten by a tick. A tick refers to any of two tiny parasitic arachnid families with prickly trunks. Ticks suck the blood of animals that are warm-blooded.
A rash that arises from tick bite is also known as Erythema Migrans.
Symptoms
Picture 1 – Tick Bite Rash
Source – diglloyd
Some of the main symptoms of Tick Bite Rash are
Red appearance
These rashes have a fiery red appearance with an elevated middle part. They may also be dark red or even blue in color which makes them look similar to a bruise over the skin. In later stages of tick bite rash red color may also change to purple.
Multiple rashes
In many cases, more than one rash may arise over the skin surface as a result of a tick bite.
Itchiness
Some patients may also experience itchy symptoms in the region of rash.
In later stages, the condition may lead to joint aches, extreme tiredness, muscle pain, headaches and high fever. When such symptoms are experienced, patients should get medical attention. Absence of treatment can give rise to severe complications and even problems like memory loss. After tick bites rashes may lead to highly discomforting illnesses like
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Ehrlichiosis
- Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI)
- Lyme disease
- Babesiosis
- Tick-borne relapsing fever
- Tularemia
- Colorado tick fever
- Anaplasmosis
- Powassan encephalitis
What Does a Rash From a Tick Bite Look Like?
A typical rash is between 2 and 5 inch in diameter. But a tick bite rash can be even bigger than this and may cover the entire region of the torso or leg. There may be a single rash or multiple rashes. Crusts may develop over the rashes and they may even ooze pus in later stages.
Tick Bite Rash appearance or formation usually occurs a few days after tick bites a person. It may also arise a few weeks after the bite. After originating, a rash can spread quickly until it attains a size of 20-30 inches. In most cases, however, it is lesser than this size.
Causes
The bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii is the main cause of this disease. When tick bites humans, it enters the human body from the proboscis of the insect. Ticks attach themselves to the skin of victims and suck their blood. The insects lodge themselves anywhere on the body. The most common regions are ankles, genital region and the hair. When they are lodged in any part of the skin, they can give rise to a tiny, firm mass on the skin surrounded by a red circle.
Prevention
Preventing this disease requires you to prevent getting bitten by a tick insect. Some ways to prevent tick bite are
Cover your skin
Wear long sleeves and full length trousers before you walk through high bushes in dense woods. This will protect the greater part of your skin from ticks.
Wear Knee High Boots
You should ideally wear knee high boots to keep your legs safe from these insects. If you cannot get such a boot, you may also try pulling your socks over the outer side of your pants to restrict ticks from getting inside your trousers and crawling up your legs.
Tuck your shirt inside
Tuck your shirt into your trousers to prevent entry of ticks.
Use insect repellent
Spray insect repellent on your clothes. The strong odor of the repellents will keep insects away from you.
Wear light colored clothes
Wearing light colored garments so that you can easily spot ticks on them. While walking within dense woods, check your skin and clothes frequently to see whether you have any ticks.
Diagnosis
The condition is mainly diagnosed by physical observation. If there is some confusion about detection, patients may have to undergo blood tests. Blood test confirms presence of bacteria.
Treatment
Initial Tick bite rash cure involves taking of the tick at the earliest. The common method of Tick removal is to grasp the mouth or head of the tick with a pair of tweezers. You may also put on gloves or use to tissue paper to remove the insect. Never try to take tick away using your bare hands.
Pulling it backwards gradually will ensure tick removal without puncturing the skin. Wash your hands, especially the bitten region, with water and soap.
Tick Bite Rashes are usually treated with cleaning of the region and subsequent application of topical antibiotic creams and ointments. If itchiness is experienced in rash caused by tick bite, preparations consisting of Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are used. Some patients are prescribed oral antibiotics. Fluids may also be administered to avoid dehydration in patients.
Bullseye Rash Tick Bite
It is the name given to a rash caused by tick bite that looks similar to a bull’s-eye. This is a red bumpy rash that can be seen in puppies, dogs and children. In humans, it can arise almost anywhere on the body such as face, neck, underarm, under the breasts, groin and the legs.
Picture 2 – Bullseye Rash
Source – canlyme
This condition is also commonly referred to as Lyme disease. It results from infection caused by a type of bacterium known as Borrelia Burgdorferi. It usually affects animals and is less common in humans.
Deer Tick Bite Rash
It is a type of rash that results from tick bite and is caused due to an infection by a parasite that may give rise to Lyme Disease, Babesiosis and Human Anaplasmosis. If left untreated, these rashes may give rise to discomforting symptoms like high fever, chills, severe headache and extreme muscle pain.
Tick Bite Rash usually resolves after a point of time. If the inflammation and pain lasts for over three days, it can signify an infection. If you find a large inflamed rash over your skin, get in touch with a healthcare professional. Getting early treatment will help you recover from this condition and its discomforting symptoms much faster.
References:
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/tick-bites-topic-overview
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-tick-bite-rash.htm
http://www.lennoxmedical.com.au/articles/article7857.html
http://www.medicinenet.com/ticks/article.htm
I found diaper rash cream helps with the inflammation. I put it on before bed and found significant reduction the next morning.