An Introduction to Sheep Ticks
Sheep ticks, also known as sheep keds and the scientific name Ixodes ricinus, is a small mite that can leave quite an impact if it bites a human being. It is found primarily in Europe and it is hard bodied. The tick while on a sheep can cause wool loss and other health problems in the animal and if a human being is bitten by it, it can lead to Lyme disease. As Lyme disease can be a debilitating and fatal problem, it is a good idea to know all we can about the sheep tick and how to handle it if it does latch on to our skin.
Why are ticks dangerous?
Sheep ticks are small eight-legged creatures that belong to the category Acarina along with mites and water mites. They are really tiny parasites that latch on to mammals for their food. Their diet is liquid and they are equipped to suck blood from the host that they latch onto. While a tiny creature drawing on some blood is not in itself dangerous to human beings or sheep, there are some sheep ticks that are infected by the bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium which lives in the saliva of deer ticks and sheep ticks is the cause of Lyme disease. It is this role that the ticks play as transmitters of Lyme that makes them particularly dreaded.
How to handle ticks?
The very fact that sheep ticks, and other ticks, are extremely tiny makes them a very challenging parasite to oust from the body. There is also the catch that it is best to remove the whole tick rather than just break it off in parts by pulling at it. Parts left behind by a tick can lead to infection and disease and so it is best to be methodical in removing the whole creature.
The best way to get rid of sheep ticks is to use a special tweezers with a flat tip. These tweezers, which are widely available, allow us to get a good grip on the ticks without cutting off the creatures. By gently twisting the ticks with the tweezers as you pull, you should be able to successfully remove it intact. The key is extreme patience as this is not a process that cannot be hurried in any way. This is also the only consistently reliable way of handling ticks.
People suggest quick fixes such as burning the tick or even dousing with alcohol but these methods will end up killing the tick with no surety that you will be able to remove it as a whole. As leaving any part of a tick behind in the body is an opening to infections and diseases, it is best to use the patient approach while removing sheep ticks.
If you are unable to remove a tick before it has inserted its sharp mouth claws in the body, you should visit a doctor immediately. The doctor will be able to give you the best advice on signs to watch out for to avoid a bad episode of Lyme disease.
Even if you believe that you have removed the sheep tick completely stay alert for possible signs of infection. If you get a fever over the next few days that persists or comes and goes intermittently it is a good idea to visit the doctor and give them the details of the tick episode. Excessive fatigue and lethargy are also causes of concern. The good news is that with early intervention, antibiotics work well in helping patients recover from Lyme disease.
Do not be dismissive of a tick bite but at the same time do not panic if you suspect a tick has latched on to you or to someone close to you. Sheep ticks are more often a nuisance than a dire threat.