Tick season is currently peaking, and emergency department visits for tick bites in the United States are the highest they have been since 2019. It is estimated that more than 31 million people will be bitten by a tick every year. That is nearly one in every ten Americans, not a small number by any measure. Thankfully, most bites don’t lead to serious illness, and if they are removed in time, the risk of Lyme infection is significantly reduced. However, there are so many ideal places for ticks to hide on your body, often making them hard to spot. But, what areas on your body do ticks bite the most?
The Scalp and Hairline
Ticks typically migrate upward and hide where hair conceals them from view. Pay extra attention to the margins of your scalp as well as behind the ears and the nape of the neck. This is especially important after passing through vegetation on a hike or resting against trees. American dog ticks are known for crawling to the top of the head before latching on. You can use your fingertips to search for little “freckle-like” bumps, and then separate your hair using a mirror. Young children are particularly susceptible, as they like to roll around in the grass and their heads are the same height as much of the vegetation.
The Ears and Neck
The folds and wrinkles around your ears, jawline, and beneath your collar provide ticks with warmth and a place to hide. Ticks do not jump or fly. Instead, they hold onto whatever they can and crawl until they find a place to attach themselves to. When checking for ticks, brush behind each ear, check along your hairline, and around the sides and back of your neck. Certain species, such as Lone Star ticks, can latch on very quickly, so inspect immediately after being outdoors. You should also check again several hours later, just in case it was still clinging to your clothing.
Upper Arms and Armpits
Armpits are known to be favoured tick hideouts due to their heat, moisture, and thin skin. Nymphs can be easily overlooked here. Run your hands carefully from your upper arms into the axilla, looking for any small seeds or scabs that weren’t there before. Showering within two hours of entering your home can help wash off ticks before they attach themselves, but you should still also examine yourself in the mirror. If you do find a tick, remove it right away using fine-tipped tweezers.
Chest and Upper Back
Ticks also prefer compressed, warm areas such as under bra bands and backpack harnesses. The pressure from the fabric can potentially cause a tick to stop roaming and bite into you where they are. Lift any straps and bands after any outdoor activities and slowly inspect the skin edges. You could also have someone else examine your upper back and shoulder blades. Many deer ticks were discovered along the upper back in surveys, which is one of the areas people tend to overlook when looking for ticks on their own.
Waistline and Lower Back
Ticks will also often settle under tight spaces such as tucked-in shirts, belts, and elastic bands. They can often be found attached across the lower back or around the waistline (even in the belly button!). When checking for ticks, make sure to run your finger inside any belt or elastic marks. While showering can help, it is important to use your fingers to check because small nymphal ticks are often too small to see and feel like a tiny little grain of sand. In one tick survey, the waist and stomach both ranked among the most common places that ticks like to attach themselves.
Groin and Buttocks
The groin and its surrounding folds are warm and humid, creating the ideal habitat for ticks. Lone star ticks, in particular, tend to bite and attach themselves very quickly to the lower half of the body. Always remember to do a thorough inspection of your groin area after being outdoors or in wild nature (in private, preferably!). Make sure to check long underwear lines and creases. If you do find a tick, remove it instantly and then clean the area with alcohol or soap.
The Thighs and Behind the Knees
Where do ticks bite the most? A survey conducted by Upstate Medical University that examined 722 deer tick cases found that the thigh was the most common bite site on humans. Another favoured spot is behind the knees, where the skin is than and natural folds make them harder to detect. When checking yourself for ticks, always make sure to run your fingers along the entire circumference of your things, including behind your knees. If you do find a tick on your thighs or in the crease behind your knee, remove it as soon as possible. Ticks usually need to be attached for around 24 hours before transmitting Lyme disease.
Calves and Feet
Ticks typically latch onto you from a point close to the ground and make their way up. Therefore, places such as shoe openings, sock lines, and lower legs are places where you will potentially find them. Make sure to check between your toes, under the straps of sandals, and around your ankles. There are certain repellents that can minimize the chances of a tick getting attached to you, such as picaridin and DEET. There have been some reports of people using peppermint oil, however this is not reccomened. Additionally, showering within a couple of hours of being outdoors can help wash off little ticks that have not bitten you and attached themselves yet. Also, don’t forget to check any backpacks or other gear you may have used, as well as any pets that accompanied you.
Read More: How To Properly Dispose of Ticks