Ticks are parasites belonging to the class Arachnida. They feed on the blood of their hosts, whether animals or humans. Of the approximately 850 known species, only a minority (around 10 per cent) are of medical significance to humans.
Hard ticks (Ixodidae): These have a protective dorsal shield. After attaching themselves to the skin, they feed on blood for several days before detaching.
Soft ticks (Argasidae): Lacking a carapace, they mainly parasitise birds and are generally harmless to humans.
To feed, the tick anchors itself firmly to the skin using serrated mouthparts. This can sometimes make removal difficult and explains why fragments may remain in the skin after the tick has been removed. Although very small, tick larvae can also cause skin reactions, as they too feed on blood. They usually bite in groups, resulting in several small spots clustered together in the same area.
In what situations do we come into contact with ticks?
Ticks mainly live in damp, vegetated areas, such as forests, meadows, parks or gardens, where they wait for a host to pass by. They attach themselves to wild animals (rodents, deer, birds) as well as to domestic animals (dogs, cats, horses, cattle) and to humans. Exposure usually occurs during outdoor activities such as hiking, gardening or picnics, but also through simple contact with an infested animal. Ticks attach themselves to the skin using their serrated mouthparts and begin feeding on blood, thereby potentially transmitting various pathogens.
