Gross, gross, prehistoric, disgusting things.
Ticks are notorious vectors for transmitting disease, some lethal. One disease that has really come to the forefront in the last decade is Lyme Disease. This is a disease that can affect both humans and animals.
Typical symptoms and signs for Lyme Disease are:
- Fatigue
- Chills and fever
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Characteristic skin rash, called erythema migrans
Erythema migrans (EM) is a red circular patch at the site of the tick bite that appears usually within 3 days to 1 month after the bite of an infected tick. But be careful, you will not always have this last symptom, nor does it mean you have Lyme Disease if you do have this rash. But express caution and see a doctor.
One of the best articles I have seen on How to Remove a Tick is on About.com. Simple and clearly written, it might be something you should print off and keep in your kitchen drawer.
Ticks come in all colors and an excellent photo display of ticks is located on the University of Nebraska website.
If you do find a tick on a person, and want to have it tested, here is a list of testing laboratories along with some suggestions on how to keep your yard tick free.
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