Blood-sucking arthropods which transmit a wide range of diseases to humans, including ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER, African tick typhus, LYME DISEASE and fièvre boutonneuse (see TYPHUS FEVER). Apart from being transmitters of disease, they cause intense itching and may cause quite severe lesions of the skin. The most commonly used repellent is diethyl methyl benzamide (DEET). Once bitten, relief from the itching is obtained from the application of calamine lotion. Tick-bites are an occupational hazard of shepherds and gamekeepers. (See also BITES AND STINGS.)