If you love muffins and hate ticks, you might want to look away because things are about to get pretty grim. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have tweeted a photo of a muffin that has ruined muffins for everybody.

They tweeted the photo on Friday, under the caption:

"Ticks can be the size of a poppy seed. Can you spot all 5 ticks in this photo? Learn how to prevent tick bites."

People are especially grossed out because they're really, really difficult to spot.

Did you spot them? Here, take a closer look.

We assume you've seen them now, but if not go back and take a closer look just above the crack in the muffin. There you'll see several of the critters hanging out on the icing.

The post, as well as being a fun way to really gross out the Internet, is part of a campaign by the CDC to raise awareness of tick, mosquito, and flea-borne diseases. Disease cases from these three insects tripled in the US between 2004 and 2016, according to the CDC, with nine new germs spread by mosquitos and ticks being discovered (or introduced) since 2004.

More than 640,000 cases have been reported between 2004 and 2016.

The CDC advise taking preventative steps to avoid direct contact with ticks, including staying away from wooded areas or areas with high grass. However, if you do go into areas infested with ticks, they recommend you shower as soon as possible (preferably within 2 hours) to wash off any ticks that might be crawling on you.

Then do a full check of your body with a mirror to look for ticks in hard-to-see areas. You can also tumble dry your clothes on a high heat for 10 minutes (wet clothes may take longer) in order to kill the ticks after you've returned home. 

You can read the CDC's full advice on their website if you're already feeling mysteriously itchy.

Hate ticks? Did you know they can also cause "reverse zombie-ism"?

You're welcome.