Tick Paralysis By Robert A Barish, MD, MBA, University of Illinois at Chicago; Thomas Arnold, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport Reviewed / Revised Jan 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Treatment Tick paralysis is a rare, ascending, flaccid paralysis that occurs when toxin-secreting Ixodidae ticks bite and remain attached for several days.