How should I treat a wound after a tick bite? - briefly
Remove the tick using fine‑point tweezers, grasping it close to the skin and pulling upward with steady pressure, then clean the bite area with an antiseptic solution. Cover with a sterile bandage and watch for redness, swelling, or rash, seeking medical attention if any symptoms appear.
How should I treat a wound after a tick bite? - in detail
Remove the attached tick promptly. Grasp the mouthparts with fine‑point tweezers as close to the skin as possible, pull upward with steady pressure, and avoid twisting or crushing the body. After removal, clean the bite area with mild soap and water, then apply an antiseptic such as povidone‑iodine or chlorhexidine.
Inspect the site for residual parts, redness, swelling, or a bull’s‑eye rash. If any fragment remains, repeat the removal procedure and clean again. Document the date of the bite and the species of tick when known.
Continue wound care for 24–48 hours:
- Re‑apply antiseptic twice daily.
- Cover with a sterile, non‑adhesive dressing if the area is exposed or prone to irritation.
- Keep the skin dry; replace the dressing if it becomes wet or soiled.
Monitor for systemic symptoms—fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, or joint pain—over the next two weeks. Seek medical evaluation if any of the following occur:
- Expanding erythema or a target‑shaped rash.
- Persistent fever above 38 °C (100.4 °F).
- Neurological signs such as facial weakness or confusion.
- Signs of secondary infection: pus, increasing pain, or foul odor.
For patients at high risk of Lyme disease or other tick‑borne infections, a clinician may prescribe a prophylactic antibiotic (e.g., a single dose of doxycycline) within 72 hours of the bite, provided the tick was attached for ≥ 36 hours and local infection rates are ≥ 20 %. Document the treatment plan and advise the patient to complete the full course if antibiotics are initiated.
Maintain a log of the wound’s appearance, symptoms, and any medication taken. Return for follow‑up if the condition does not improve within three days or if new symptoms develop.