What Types of Diseases Are Common for Ticks to Carry?

If you live in the local Metro Detroit area, then there is a good chance that you like to spend time outside. With the weather warming up quickly, you might be planning on spending more time camping, hiking, or even laying in your front yard. Even though this is a great way to enjoy the summer, there is also a chance that you could get bitten by a tick or mosquito. Ticks can carry a wide range of serious diseases that can lead to major complications.

Fortunately, getting Lyme Disease from ticks is not that common, because they need to stay attached to you for several hours before transmitting the infection. On the other hand, ticks can carry more than just Lyme Disease. How can you tell these diseases apart?

Some Tick-Borne Illnesses Have the Same Symptoms

There are several common diseases that text may carry. A few examples include Lyme disease, STARI (southern tick-associated rash illness), Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and ehrlichiosis. All of these diseases can lead to fevers, chills, aches, and pain. You might also develop extreme fatigue and headaches. Because these symptoms are similar, it can be difficult to tell the conditions apart. That is why you need to take a closer look at the rash.

The Biggest Difference Has to Do with the Rash

All of these diseases will cause a rash; however, they appear differently. That helps doctors tell these conditions apart. For example,

• Lyme disease often leads to a rash that is called erythema migrans. It develops in the shape of a bulls-eye. Even though it does not show up in all patients, it is the hallmark symptom of Lyme disease.
• The rash associated with STARI is almost identical to that of Lyme disease; however, STARI will not lead to any joint pain or neurological symptoms; however, Lyme disease will. This allows you to tell the two conditions apart.
• The rash associated with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever looks like a bunch of small purple dots. It usually shows up two to five days after initial exposure. The rash starts on the palms and soles before progressing inward toward the trunk.
• An individual who has developed tularemia, the rash is a skin ulcer that shows up at the site of the bite. The lymph nodes usually spot left as well.
• Only about half of patients who develop ehrlichiosis develop a rash. It looks like small, red or purple macules, which look like welts.

The appearance of the rash can help doctors figure out exactly what tick-borne illness is present. Then, these conditions are often confirmed by laboratory tests before the treatment process begins. Getting the diagnosis right is important for prescribing the right treatment. The sooner the diagnosis is made, the better the prognosis.

Call Mosquito Squad of Metro Detroit for Help Getting Rid of Ticks

If you are concerned that you may have ticks in your local area, then you need to rely on the best mosquito control company to get rid of ticks and mosquitoes for you. That is where our team can assist you. We are Mosquito Squad of Metro Detroit, and we are an natural mosquito control company that specializes in removing ticks and mosquitoes. It would be our pleasure to deal with your home tick problem. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you, please give us a call today at (844) 630-1030!