Tick Paralysis
A Quick Guide To Tick Paralysis
Tick paralysis is not common at all, but it is very real and quite scary for those who live in heavily tick infested areas. Tick paralysis is one of the three most severe diseases passed to humans and household pets through the sharp mouthparts of the tick. The first, as you may have guessed, is the deadly Lyme Disease, which is passed primarily through the nymph stages of the deer, or black-legged tick. This tiny little parasite is nearly impossible to detect on an animal, and can be difficult to see and identify on your person. Even the large, engorged females, who are the largest of this type of tick, only reach about one half of a centimeter in width. Teeny tiny creepy crawlies with great big troubles.
The second most deadly condition passed to humans by the tick is called Rocky Mountain Spotty Fever. The most severe symptoms of this bacterial infection include shock and kidney failure. These occur in victims who are not seen and treated by a doctor or taken directly to the hospital upon the first signs of illness. A rash occurs with this disease, and is made up of small, flat purple to red dots which spread from the palms of the hands and the balls of the feet to the rest of the body. Severe muscle and joint pain, headaches, vomiting, and allover chills are a few more of the uncomfortable throws of this sickness.
Tick paralysis is caused mainly by the heavy feeding of female ticks in the Ixodide family of arachnids, and is primarily seen in countries such as Australia and Africa. This rare phenomenon is explained by a release of neurotoxins by the ticks into the blood stream. This rules out a bacterial or viral infection, which is good news for those who reside in heavily infested areas. There is no way to tell which of this family of parasites will be responsible for creating the next case of tick paralysis, making prevention, education, and the repelling of ticks extremely important. Dogs and other domesticated animals are susceptible to tick paralysis, and this illness actually affects them more often than it does humans.
Rarely, cases of tick paralysis are reported in North America, and this causes quite a panic and stir amongst those who have been bitten by a tick. It is important to protect yourself at all times whenever you intend to venture away from the short grass in your yard during the spring and early summer seasons. Wearing lightly colored and tightly fit clothing will help to ensure that you can see ticks who land on you, and that they can’t get into your skin right away. DEET and permethrine are excellent repellents as well.