Ticks are more important as vectors of systemic infections than as inducers of skin disease. They act as reservoir hosts for the rickettsiae that cause typhus, Q-fever and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, for the arboviruses that cause haemorrhagic fever, and for the spirochaetes that cause borreliosis, including relapsing fevers and Lyme disease. When left undisturbed, they may adhere to the skin by their mouth parts for long enough to induce dermal nodules.

Prevention and management

Insect repellents such as diethyltoluamide are effective. In addition, protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and long trousers should be worn. Exposed skin should be examined every evening when there is a risk of exposure. The tick may be extracted by grasping the head with tweezers or fine forceps and gradually pulling it straight from the point of attachment.