Spring brings with it not only a spring mood, but also aggressive ticks. What do ticks look like under human skin? What danger do they carry? We will answer these and other questions in our article.
Where are they found?
As a rule, ticks live in areas with fairly dense vegetation. By the way, the opinion that these arachnid parasites jump on us from the trees is erroneous. In fact, ticks sit on blades of grass and randomly cling to our clothes, and then crawl under it, looking for the most vulnerable places for a bite.
Where do ticks bite?
Before we know what ticks look like under the skin, let's figure out what places they bite us for. In principle, these creatures can stick anywhere, but the most favorite places are:
- neck;
- axillary hollows;
- inguinal folds;
- and other places with thin skin and abundant blood supply.
Getting on the human body, the tick for a long time seeks out where to suck on it. Note that this process can take up to 4 hours! During this time, the parasite can be detected.
How do they bite?
If the tick was not detected in a timely manner, then it proceeds to the main process for itself. He bites through human skin in such a way that we don’t even feel it. Then he simply digs into the resulting wound.
Do you know why we do not feel their bites? Because these parasites are able to secrete a special analgesic substance.
What do ticks look under the skin?
Externally sucked tick becomes like a large mole with protruding paws. If you suddenly feel that a new mole has suddenly appeared on your body - beware! Sometimes such a mole can pose a significant danger to you! This is what ticks look like under the skin!
It is curious that in animals these parasites look somewhat different. It is understandable: cats and dogs are not able to independently pull out the tick before it drinks their blood and turns into a ball. Have you seen what a tick looks like in a dog? This is a real gray-green ball! Take a look at the photo below.
How long can they be on our body?
A sucking tick can hang on our body for several days! Further, there are two options for the development of the situation:
- the parasite pumped by blood falls off on its own;
- begins to penetrate into the deeper layers, multiplying and provoking a dangerous infection - encephalitis.
What to do if you find a tick?
- If a tick is found on your body, you must contact the emergency room.
- If for some reason you cannot get qualified help, then the tick will have to be removed on its own. Do not pull it immediately so as not to tear the abdomen. Shake the parasite for half a minute to the sides, and then carefully and smoothly remove it.
- Do not cauterize a parasite sticking out of your skin with alcohol, do not oil it, or sprinkle it with salt.
Memo
So, let's summarize all of the above.
- The signs of a tick attacking you are completely imperceptible - its bite is painless.
- After the introduction of anesthetic fluid, the parasite begins to suck its proboscis to one of the blood vessels and thus feed.
- Since the tick is usually found before it disappears, the main sign of its presence is a protruding abdomen resembling a mole.