Tackling Ticks: Understanding the Threat, Bites, Diseases

What do you know about ticks and tick bites? After reading this article, I hope a lot more!  I was watching a Netflix documentary called “Afflicted” In it 7 people with chronic and debilitating illnesses search for answers and a cure. It was disturbing enough just to watch these people suffering without a true diagnosis and without any real hope of a cure. However, it did appear that a majority of these people could have been bitten by ticks and had some of the symptoms of Lyme disease. That got me thinking about ticks! 

Tis the Season:

The topic of ticks is a touchy subject. They are tiny yet tenacious creatures and have long been a cause for concern in many parts of the world. These minuscule arachnids, belonging to the same family as spiders, are notorious for their ability to transmit various diseases to both humans and animals.

I became so curious about ticks and the diseases that they can cause, I figured I’d share some information about them with you. Ticks can really wreak havoc with your immune system. The information that follows is not as much fun to read as a beauty or fashion review. But I think understanding their habitats, the consequences of their bites, and the link to autoimmune diseases such as Lyme disease is essential for you, my readers, and followers to be aware of. 

Why am I posting this on advicesisters.com right now? Holiday gift guides will soon be my focus. But this is the time ticks are having a field day. Deer and other animals are foraging for food to sustain them through the winter. Ticks can be anywhere, even in your local park or home garden. 

Where Ticks Lurk:

Ticks thrive in diverse environments, from dense forests and grassy fields to urban parks and even home gardens. They tend to reside in tall grasses, shrubs, and leaf piles, waiting patiently for a passing host. Ticks can be found on every continent (except Antarctica). In other words, you can be bitten by ticks just about anywhere. I will go into more detail about the specific habitats of ticks, as we go through the story. 

Tick Bite and Its Consequences:

When a tick bites, it attaches itself to the host’s skin and feeds on blood. The bite itself might be painless but that doesn’t mean you are safe. Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, and a characteristic skin rash resembling a bull’s-eye. If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause joint pain, neurological problems, and severe fatigue, affecting one’s quality of life significantly.

Lyme Disease and Autoimmune Disorders:

Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted through tick bites, can trigger autoimmune responses within the body. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Lyme disease can mimic the symptoms of autoimmune disorders, often leading to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.

Furthermore, recent research suggests a potential link between tick-borne infections (including Lyme disease), and the development of autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus. There is ongoing research about these issues, but it’s still a bit mystifying. 

Prevention and Protection:

How can you prevent being bitten by a tick?   Simple measures help. They can include wearing long-sleeved clothing, tucking pants into socks, and using insect repellents containing DEET. After spending time outdoors, conducting thorough tick checks on your body, clothing, and pets can help remove ticks before they attach.

Recognizing Ticks:

Oh my! There are so many different types of ticks! The good news is that of the 700 species of hard ticks and 200 species of soft ticks found throughout the world, only a few are known to bite and transmit disease to humans.  In the United States there are two types:  Ixodidae (hard ticks) and Argasidae (soft ticks). 

Hard ticks (Ixodidae) begin as an egg that is laid by an adult female tick. Once the egg hatches a larva emerges that must then find and feed on a small mammal or bird (host). Once it has fed, it then detaches and seeks larger hosts. The life cycle of hard ticks lasts one to two years depending on the species. Soft Ticks (Argasidae)

Soft ticks (Argasidae), also start out as an egg, hatch into a larva, feed, and then molt into a nymph Young tick). They may go through as many as 7 phases as nymphs, requiring a blood meal at each stage. Soft ticks’ life cycle lasts from months to years depending on the species.

The important thing to know is that nymphal ticks are equally capable of transmitting disease. In some areas the nymphal tick infection rate is actually higher than the adult tick infection rate.

The following is a list of ticks found in the United States that are known to bite and transmit disease to humans: * the following has been edited from lymedisease.org 

American Dog Tick (Dermacentor Variabilis)

The American dog tick has a dark brown body. Females have an off-white shield, while adult males look more mottled. The greatest risk of being bitten is from adult females during the spring and summer months. This species can cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever as well as Tularemia (Rabbit Fever), Ehrlichia, (similar to Lyme disease and possibly deadly if not quickly treated), Anaplasma (causing fever, malaise, muscle aches, chills, and headache), and tick paralysis.

Location: This tick has a broad distribution east of the Rocky Mountains, throughout the East and Gulf Coast, along the Pacific Coast, into Canada, and parts of Alaska. American dog ticks are mostly found in areas with little or no tree cover, such as tall grassy fields and low-lying brush and twigs, as well as along walkways and trails.

Blacklegged “Deer” Tick (Ixodes Scapularis)

This tick is most easily identified by its reddish-orange body, black shield and dark black legs. It transmits Borrelia burgdorferi (the agent of Lyme disease), Borrelia mayonii (a Lyme-like illness), Borrelia miyamotoi and Borrelia hermsii (that both cause relapsing fever Borreliosis), Ehrlichia muris(Fever, chills, Severe headache, Muscle aches, Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, Confusion.  Anaplasma phagocytophilum (fever, malaise, muscle aches, chills, and headaches), Babesia microti (malaria-like disease also causes fever), multiple species of Rickettsia (fever, headache), deer tick virus, and Powassan virus. This tick is also suspected of transmitting Bartonella (swollen lymph nodes near the site of the bite or scratch, fever, sun pustules). 

 Location: Blacklegged ticks are found throughout the eastern U.S., large areas in the north and central U.S., and the South. The northern distributions of the black-legged tick are continuing to spread in all directions from two major endemic areas in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. Note that adult ticks will search for a host any time when temperatures are above freezing, including winter. Blacklegged ticks are found in a wide variety of habitats suitable for birds, and large and small mammals such as mice, deer, squirrels, coyotes, and livestock. They are most commonly found on people who are in contact with grass, brush, leaves, logs, or pets that have been roaming the outdoors.

Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus Sanguineus)

The brown dog tick is a reddish brown with a narrow shape in comparison to other ticks.

Pathogens: All life stages of this tick can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsia), Q Fever, and other rickettsioses to humans. They can also transmit several diseases specific to dogs. 

Location: Dogs are the primary host for the brown dog tick which is found worldwide. The brown dog tick can survive and breed in nature but lives primarily in and around homes with dogs (for example, dog beds and kennels). These ticks are capable of spending their entire life cycle indoors. To eradicate brown dog tick infestations, experts recommend: treating all pets in your house and yard, sanitizing pet beds, and other areas your dog frequents, including the car. 

Groundhog Tick (Ixodes Cookei)

The groundhog tick, also known as woodchuck tick, has a light brown or blond color. The groundhog tick is the primary vector for Powassan virus disease. I’m not trying to scare you but bites from this tick can cause severe infections are marked by a quicker onset and including headache, high fever, confusion, tremors, seizures, paralysis, coma, or even, death.

Location: This tick is found throughout the eastern half of the United States. All life stages of this tick feed on a variety of warm-blooded animals, including groundhogs, skunks, squirrels, raccoons, foxes, weasels, and occasionally humans and domestic animals. 

More Ticks to Watch Out For:

Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma Americanum)

This tick is reddish-brown in color. The adult female is distinguished by a white dot or “lone star” on her back. If you are bitten by this tick you may develop symptoms similar to Lyme disease. The bite of this tick has also been associated with delayed allergic reactions to the consumption of red meat in some humans. 

Location: The lone star tick is widely distributed throughout the Eastern U.S. but is most prevalent in the South. These ticks are notoriously aggressive biters, with the greatest risk of being bitten from early Spring through late Fall.

 

Pacific Coast Tick (Dermacentor Occidentalis)

The Pacific Coast tick has a mottled brownish-black color. All life stages of this tick can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever to humans and their pets. It can also a host of other tick fevers. The bite of this tick causes a wound that is commonly mistaken for other biting insects and spiders.

Location: The Pacific coast tick is prevalent in the Southwestern U.S. It has a broad range from Baja Mexico to Oregon. The Pacific Coast ticks are the most common ticks found throughout California.

 

Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor Andersoni)

These ticks are reddish-brown and look very similar to American dog ticks. The adult males have a cream-colored shield. This ticks can spread Colorado tick fever and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The saliva of the Rocky Mountain wood tick contains a neurotoxin that can occasionally cause tick paralysis in humans and pets. The toxin takes anywhere from 24-72 hours to dissipate after tick removal.

Location: Rocky Mountain wood ticks are found primarily in scrublands, lightly wooded areas, open grasslands, and along trails. In the U.S., their geographical distribution is generally restricted to higher elevations above 4,000 feet. They prefer to feed on medium to large mammals, but can survive up to 600 days without feeding.

Soft Ticks (Ornithodoros)

Soft ticks do not have a hard shell and are shaped like a large raisin.  They carry North American agents of tick-borne relapsing fever. These ticks live throughout the western United States, including Texas, and coniferous forests at elevations between 900 – 2,000 meters above sea level. People usually are bitten as they sleep in rustic mountain cabins that have been previously infested with rodents.

In Texas, TBRF may be associated with the exploration of caves. Because the bite is painless victims are often unaware they have been bitten. Documented outbreaks of TBRF have occurred at national parks and vacation cabins in Colorado, Arizona, and the Lake Tahoe area in California.

Western Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes Pacificus)

These ticks have a reddish body with a black shield and black legs. This is the tick that transmits Lyme disease and a host of other diseases to humans. Although all life stages of this tick can bite, nymphs and adult females are thought to be the primary cause of illness in humans.

Location: The Western black-legged tick is mostly found in California and 5e other western states: Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.

 The tick can be found along deer trails in grassy coastal regions, dense woodlands, amongst fallen leaves or fir needles, and on fallen logs or branches. Researchers have also found nymphs on the undersides of wooden park benches and tables.  

Squirrel, lizards, mice, vole, fox, coyote and deer are common hosts for the western black-legged tick. Like all ticks, migrating birds act as a long-distance transport. While the majority of cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed in the Northeast and Midwest, but also in some Lyme-endemic counties in California. 

Conclusion:

Who knew there were so many kinds of ticks!  Ticks may be tiny, but the impact of their bites can be life-altering. You may not totally be able to avoid these minuscule and menacing arachnids, but you can be aware that they’re “out there” and be vigilant. This is especially true if you live in an area where deer are prevalent, walking through wooded and grassy areas, etc.