Tick Bite - Pictures

Jack DeAngelis, PhD

OSU Entomologist (ret.)

Summary:  A tick bite can transmit a number of very serious diseases, including Lyme Disease, to people, pets, and livestock. Some tick-transmitted diseases cause a distinctive "bull's-eye" rash in humans at the site of the bite.

Disclaimer

Ticks seek hosts on which to feed

Ticks generally perch on tall vegetation, such as grass, and wait for their host animal to wander by (see photo right). When contact is made the tick transfers to the host where feeding can start in minutes to hours and can last from hours to days.

During feeding the tick is firmly attached to the host animal by the sword-like structure at the head-end of the tick in the photo at right. Once feeding is completed the tick detaches and drops from the host animal.

Bites can result in disease

As ticks feed on the host animal's blood any potential disease organisms that the tick harbors can be transmitted to the host. Some diseases, for example Lyme Disease, can cause a very characteristic "bull's-eye" rash which radiates from the bite site (see photo right).

The bull's-eye rash can be an indication of a serious medical condition so if one develops at the site of a tick bite you should seek medical attention immediately.

See Ticks for information about the life history of ticks and ways to prevent bites.

See How to Safely Remove a Tick if one is found on yourself or your pets.