Ticks and Tick Bites on Humans Directory
Ticks are pesky little bugs that feed off other animals or people. In the process of sucking blood, they are known for transmitting serious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and many more. Most tick-borne infections happen in the summer. To prevent tick bites, wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes when you are in known tick-infested areas such as wooded areas. Stay on trails when possible. Use insect repellent, and inspect your body to be sure no ticks are there. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about how ticks spread diseases, how to prevent tick bites, how to treat tick bites, and much more.
Medical Reference
-
FAQ: Tick-Borne Diseases
This article looks at diseases other than Lyme spread by ticks, such as Powassan virus and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
-
What Is Powassan? Do Ticks Carry It?
Powassan is a tick-borne illness that causes swelling in the brain and spinal cord. It used to be rare, but cases could be on the rise.
-
Is That a Tick Bite?
A tick can give you a lot of different diseases, but you might not even know that one bit you. Learn what a tick bite looks like, what kind of a rash you might get, and what other symptoms mean it’s time to call your doctor.
-
What Is Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever?
A bite from an infected tick leads to this infection. The telltale sign is high fever that comes and goes. Here’s what you need to know about tick-borne relapsing fever.
Features
Video
Slideshows & Images
-
Picture of Tick Bites
Ticks are small spiderlike animals (arachnids) that bite to fasten themselves onto the skin and feed on blood.
-
Slideshow: What You Need to Know About Fleas and Ticks
Are you battling fleas and ticks? Pictures show the warning signs of infestation and the best ways to get rid of fleas and ticks on your pet and in the home.
-
Slideshow: Identify Bugs and Bug Bites with Pictures
Learn to identify ticks, poisonous spiders, fleas, chiggers, and other bugs. See what their bites and stings look like -- and how to find relief.
-
Picture of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by the deer tick. Lyme disease was first recognized in 1975 after researchers investigated why unusually large numbers of children were being diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in Lyme, Connecticut, and two neighboring towns. This picture shows the characteristic bullseye rash caused by a tick bite.