Ticks are tiny, spider-like creatures that feed on the blood of people and animals. They often live in grassy, bushy, or wooded areas and can attach to skin when you brush past them. Once attached, they can stay on for several days while feeding. Ticks go through several life stages (egg, larva, nymph, and adult) and some can spread germs that cause serious illnesses.
According to the CDC, Lyme disease accounts for the majority of reported tickborne infections each year1. Other tickborne diseases in the U.S. include anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Powassan virus. It is important to note that not all ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, and not every bite leads to illness. Since you cannot tell which ticks are infected, it’s important to avoid tick bites whenever possible.
Where should I check myself for ticks?
Where should I check my pet for ticks?
3 to 30 Days After Tick Bite
The appearance of the erythema migrans rash can vary widely.
- Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes may occur in the absence of rash
- Erythema migrans (EM) rash (see photos):
- Occurs in approximately 70 to 80 percent of infected people
- Begins at the site of a tick bite after a delay of 3 to 30 days (average is about 7 days)
- Expands gradually over several days reaching up to 12 inches (30 cm) or more across
- May feel warm to the touch but is rarely itchy or painful
- Sometimes clears as it enlarges, resulting in a target or “bull’s-eye” appearance
- May appear on any area of the body
- Does not always appear as a “classic bull’s-eye” rash
- Please note:
- A small bump or redness at the site of a tick bite that occurs immediately and resembles a mosquito bite, is common. This irritation generally goes away in 1-2 days and is not a sign of Lyme disease.
- A rash with a very similar appearance to EM occurs with Southern Tick-associated Rash Illness (STARI) but is not Lyme disease.
- Ticks can spread other organisms that may cause a different type of rash.
If you have any concerns regarding a tick bite or what you believe may be a tick bite, please consult with a medical professional.
Days to Months After Tick Bite
Later signs and symptoms of Lyme disease include swollen knees, irregular heartbeat, and facial palsy.
- Severe headaches and neck stiffness
- Additional EM rashes on other areas of the body
- Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face)
- Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly the knees and other large joints.
- Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones
- Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat (Lyme carditis)
- Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath
- Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
- Nerve pain
- Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
If you have any concerns regarding a tick bite or what you believe may be a tick bite, please consult with a medical professional.
- Kugeler KJ, Earley A, Mead PS, Hinckley AF. Surveillance for Lyme Disease After Implementation of a Revised Case Definition — United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:118–123. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7306a1. ↩︎
