Tick Removal
- PMID: 28722885
- Bookshelf ID: NBK441855
Tick Removal
Excerpt
Ticks are arachnid ectoparasites of the order Ixodida. They are small, hematophagic parasites that feed on the blood of animals, including humans. Finding a tick on oneself or a family member can be anxiety provoking. Ticks carry many bacterial, viral, and protozoal diseases that can affect humans; the number of such conditions continues to grow. Additionally, the geographical range of many ticks is expanding, possibly partly due to climate change.
Tick removal requires awareness beyond the physical act of removing the tick from the patient. Clinicians should consider the type of tick, the geographic distribution of ticks in general, and any need for further therapies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an excellent resource for all clinicians caring for patients with tick bites.
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References
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- James AM, Burdett C, McCool MJ, Fox A, Riggs P. The geographic distribution and ecological preferences of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), in the U.S.A. Med Vet Entomol. 2015 Jun;29(2):178-88. - PubMed
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