How should a detached tick be treated? - briefly
Use fine‑tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure; then clean the bite area with antiseptic. Monitor the site for rash or fever and seek medical advice if symptoms appear.
How should a detached tick be treated? - in detail
When a tick has been removed, the first action is to grasp the parasite as close to the skin as possible with fine‑tipped tweezers. Pull upward with steady pressure, avoiding twisting or squeezing the body. This method minimizes the risk of leaving mouthparts embedded.
After extraction, cleanse the bite area with soap and water, then apply an antiseptic such as povidone‑iodine or alcohol. Disinfect the tweezers in the same manner before storage or disposal.
Preserving the specimen aids diagnostic evaluation. Place the tick in a sealed plastic container, label with date and location of the bite, and keep it refrigerated (4 °C). If laboratory testing is planned, forward the container promptly.
Observe the site and the individual for the following signs during the next 30 days: erythema migrans, fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, or fatigue. Record the onset and progression of any symptom.
Seek professional medical care if any of the listed manifestations appear, or if the tick was attached for more than 24 hours in a region endemic for Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or other tick‑borne infections.
In cases meeting established criteria—attachment duration exceeding 36 hours, exposure in a high‑risk area, and presentation within 72 hours—administer a single dose of doxycycline (200 mg for adults, weight‑adjusted for children). This prophylactic regimen reduces the likelihood of early Lyme disease development.