Seed Ticks Bites There are several types of ticks in existence and many of them transmit infections. Around 850 species of ticks have been found all over the world. These ticks feed on the blood of birds, reptiles and mammals. As they feed then can pass on various diseases to the victim. Ticks can be of two types; soft ticks which usually feed on birds and hard ticks which parasitize mammals. The larvae of the ticks are referred to as seed ticks. Once these larvae hatch from the eggs, they become the size of poppy seeds and have six legs. These feed on blood until they grow into the nymph stage with eight legs and then continue feeding on blood until they become adults. Ticks have very hard exteriors and as such it is difficult to crush or squeeze one. They thrive in areas that are moist and humid and it when humans pass by such areas that the ticks climb onto humans and begin feeding on them.
When pulling out the tick, you need to ensure that that you do not touch it with your bare hands as some of the fluids could get transmitted to your hands and enter the body if there are small cuts or wounds on the skin. Also, don’t grab the tick as squeezing it could cause the tick to inject fluids into your skin. Using tweezers to remove ticks is the best method. Pinch it gently as close to the surface of the skin as possible and then pull it out with a quick upwards motion. After pulling off the tick, clean the area thoroughly. You can also rub some hydrogen peroxide on the affected area using a cotton ball. Make sure that you do not scratch the area around the bite. Applying an ice pack to the bite will help to numb the pain and also reduce swelling. Application of tea tree oil is also effective in alleviating swelling and redness. For easing the itching that is usually associated with seed tick bites, apply a few drops of lavender oil to the affected area. Leave the oil on the skin for around fifteen minutes to allow for the oil to have an effect. You can re-apply the oil if the itching begins to occur again. Applying a couple of drops of peppermint oil also soothes the bitten area. Toothpaste containing peppermint oil will also work well. Another excellent remedy for treating tick bites is the application of aloe vera gel.