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Clinicians might keep an eye out for an unusual dermatologic presentation that is known as a “tick bomb.” This unique tick bite pattern occurs when a person encounters a cluster of newly hatched larval ticks, potentially resulting in hundreds or thousands of tiny insects attaching to the skin at once and presenting as a collection of small red bites concentrated in an area on the skin, according to an analysis in MedPage Today that includes an image. In the United States, tick bomb events involve larval ticks, which may be too small to see individually but can collectively cause intensely pruritic bites. The numerous papules or vesicles can easily be mistaken for other insect bites or rashes. While the patches of bites may look concerning, larval lone star ticks generally pose little risk of transmitting bacterial infections, according to the analysis. However, lone star tick larvae may still carry the protein associated with alpha-gal syndrome.
Now in your backyard: Clinicians should be aware that lone star ticks are expanding their geographic range, potentially making tick-bomb exposures more common in northern states as well as southern states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Larval lone star ticks are mostly seen during warmer months but may be encountered whenever ticks are active.