Everything You Need to Know About Tick Bites in Australia
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Tick bites are one of the more overlooked and understudied health hazards Australians face. Australia is the land of the great outdoors. We love our beaches, our bushwalks, our hikes, our picnics, and our backyard barbeques. But for some reason we aren’t as concerned about ticks as we are snakes, spiders, or the sun.
Ticks are literally everywhere. But despite this, most Australians don’t think of ticks as being as dangerous as other things we might come across outdoors. A tick bite presents its own dangers, and it’s important to be aware of the risks they pose.
Tick bites are a common occurrence and while most are harmless, some can transmit serious illnesses or cause allergic reactions. Australia is home to a diverse range of tick species, each with their own unique characteristics and potential risks. Each species has its own preferred habitat, host animals, and potential for transmitting diseases.
What Are Ticks?
Ticks are small, spider-like creatures found all over the world. While they are most commonly brown to black, ticks can also appear in reddish-brown and greyish-white hues. Some species also have distinctive markings such as white spots or streaks.
Ticks are parasites that feed on blood. When a tick finds a suitable host, it uses its sharp mouthparts to attach to the skin and feed. Ticks inject a substance into the skin to prevent the blood from clotting, and their saliva can also be poisonous. Unlike mosquitoes, which feed immediately, ticks stay attached to their hosts and feed for several days.
The Different Species of Australian Ticks
Australia is home to around 73 different tick species, with most of them not found anywhere else Fortunately, of all of these, only four species are known for biting humans and pets.
Telling the difference between ticks is hard because of their size, but if you get the chance it can tell you how dangerous the tick is. Fortunately, the differences in their habitats are often a dead giveaway as to the type of tick that you’re dealing with.
All biting ticks have the potential to spread disease when feeding on people or animals. So even if you’re certain you’ve been bitten by one of the more harmless species, it’s always a good idea to seek professional medical advice after tick bites.
Eastern Paralysis Tick
The most common is the Australian paralysis tick, also referred to as a scrub tick, bush tick, seed tick, or grass tick. This is the one that you’re most likely to get bitten by (around 95% of tick bites in Australia are caused by the eastern paralysis tick), and the one with the most potential to cause harm to humans. It is found along the mainland of Australia’s eastern coast (though sometimes finding its way further west or even south to Tasmania).
Among Australian ticks, only the eastern paralysis tick has a toxin strong enough to be fatal to humans. While many of these cases were more than 100 years ago, eastern paralysis tick bites still present a high threat to young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.
Southern Paralysis Tick
Little is known about the recently dicovered southern paralysis tick. It is likely related to the eastern paralysis tick, and it shows similar behaviours and prefers the same habitats and food. Though there is little data about its bite, it can be assumed that it is equally dangerous as its eastern cousin.
Ornate Kangaroo Tick
The ornate kangaroo tick gets part of its name from its primary hosts: kangaroos and wallabies. The other half comes from its reddish-brown body with silvery-white markings on its back, which gives it an “ornate” look.
Though they primarily feed on kangaroos, this tick will also readily feed on other mammals like cattle, horses, sheep, dogs and even humans. While not as dangerous as the paralysis ticks found in coastal eastern Australia, the ornate kangaroo tick is still a nuisance species that should be avoided.
Brown Dog Tick
A global species, the brown dog tick is a reddish-brown to yellow-brown tick that gets its name from its tendency to feed on the blood of domestic dogs. Like other ticks, it will happily switch to human blood if they find them to be an easier target.
While their bites are usually only a minor irritant to dogs and people, like other ticks they can also transmit serious diseases through bites.
Tick Habitats
Ticks are found in a variety of habitats across Australia. While they can be found almost anywhere, there are a few key environemental factors they prefer, making it easier to narrow down where you’re most likely to encounter one. The most common tick habitats include:
- Areas with tall grass, shrubs, and bushes.
- Humid conditions provide ideal conditions for ticks to survive and reproduce.
- In homes where dogs are kept.
In Australia, tick activity typically peaks during the warmer months, from spring through autumn. Ticks are most active during the day, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon. At night, ticks tend to be less active, but they can still pose a threat, especially in areas with high tick populations.
Preventing Tick Bites
The first way to prevent tick bites is simple: avoid tick-infested habitats when possible, such as areas with tall grass and shrubs. Mowing tall grass or brush can help reduce tick habitation around your home. When spending time outdoors, such as when on a hike or a bush walk, stick to the centre of trails to avoid brushing up against vegetation.
Wear protective clothing, especially when venturing into likely tick habitats. Cover up with long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and high boots, and tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks to seal any gaps where ticks can get in. Choosing light-coloured clothing makes it easier to spot any ticks on your outfit. Treating clothing with permethrin provides an extra layer of protection. Using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin is also recommended.
Preventing Pet Transmission of Ticks
Pets, especially dogs, are often a prime meal for ticks. From there, ticks can easily transfer to feed on humans.
To protect pets from ticks, use tick prevention products prescribed by a veterinarian. These may include topical insecticides, oral medications, or collars. Additionally, owners should regularly check their pets for ticks, especially after spending time in areas with tall grass or dense vegetation.
Tick Bite Symptoms
Most tick bites are not dangerous in and of themselves. Three exceptions to this are tick paralysis, the spread of disease, and allergic reactions. Following are the risks and tick bite symptoms you should most be wary:
Rickettsial Infections
Symptoms typically appear 5-14 days after a tick bite and include fever, rash, headache, muscle pain, and nausea. While most cases are mild, complications like pneumonia, meningitis, and organ failure can occur in severe cases or if left untreated.
Q Fever
Q fever symptoms typically appear 2-3 weeks after a tick bite and include fever, chills, severe headache, and fatigue. While most people recover within a few weeks, some develop chronic Q fever, which can lead to life-threatening complications like endocarditis. Antibiotics can easily treat all forms of Q fever.
Debilitating Symptom Complexes Attributed to Ticks (DSCATT)
Some people experience chronic, debilitating symptoms after a tick bite that are difficult to diagnose and treat. These symptoms, collectively known as DSCATT, can include fatigue, cognitive issues, sensory disturbances, joint pain, and headaches.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is perhaps the complication most highly associated with tick bites. However, while Lyme disease is common in other parts of the world, the bacteria that cause it have not been found in Australian ticks.
Tick Paralysis
As the eastern paralysis tick feeds, it injects a neurotoxin that causes a form of paralysis. Symptoms typically appear 2-7 days after the tick attaches and include weakness, unsteadiness, and difficulty speaking and swallowing. If left untreated, the paralysis can spread to the respiratory muscles, leading to respiratory failure and death.
Allergic Reaction
Typicall symptoms of an allerfic reaction include hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing. Anaphylaxis can occur in extreme cases. In recent years, a new type of food allergy called tick-induced mammalian meat allergy has emerged in Australia, where affected individuals develop an allergy to red meat.
Tick Removal and Treatment
Prompt removal of ticks, ideally within the first 16 hours, significantly reduces the chance of disease transmission. Here is how to safely remove a tick and what to do next.
Removing Ticks
The safest and most effective way to remove a tick is by using tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull the tick upwards with steady, even pressure.
Do not twist, jerk, or squeeze the tick as this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. If its mouthparts remain embedded, leave them alone and allow them to eventually come out on their own.
Another option is freezing the tick with ether-containing sprays, which should be used following the directions on the bottle.
Treating Tick Bites
After removing a tick clean the region with soap or antiseptic combined with warm water. Applying an antiseptic cream and taking over-the-counter pain medication can help relieve discomfort from the bite itself. For allergic reactions, treatment may include antihistamines, corticosteroids, or epinephrine.
Monitor the bite site for any signs of infection like redness or swelling. If symptoms persist or worsen seek medical attention immediately.
Learn First Aid For Tick Bites
The threat of tick bites and tick-borne diseases in Australia is a concern that should not be taken lightly. While prevention is crucial, it’s equally important to be prepared for the unexpected. Knowing how to respond promptly and effectively to a tick bite can make all the difference in minimising the risk of complications and ensuring the best possible outcome for you and your loved ones.
Skills Training College is a registered training organisation providing the highest quality first aid training in Australia. In addition to learning first aid skills for tick bites like how to build an effective first aid kit and how to recognise and treat the symptoms of tick-borne disease, you’ll also learn a wide range of first aid skills that’ll help you provide an effective emergency first aid response in any situation.
As part of our first aid courses, you’ll not only earn a HLTAID011 Provide First Aid Certification, but also HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and HLTAID010 Provide Basic Emergency Life Support certifications as well. With our first aid course, you’ll be empowered to take control and respond swiftly, potentially saving lives in any first aid emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Deadliest Tick in the World?
The American dog tick is widely regarded as the deadliest tick in the world due to its role in transmitting Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). While treatment significantly reduces the death rate to around 4%, approximately 72% of patients require hospitalisation.
How Do Tick Bites Cause Meat Allergies?
When the Lone Star tick bites it transfers alpha-gal into the bloodstream, potentially causing the immune system to mistakenly identify it as foreign substance and producing antibodies against it. This means that when the affected person later consumes meats which naturally contains alpha-gal their immune system reacts, causing an allergic response.
What is the Life Span of a Tick?
Generally, ticks have a lifespan of two to three years, depending on species and environmental conditions. The African soft tick has been documented to live up to 27 years in a controlled environment.
