How should subcutaneous ticks on a person's face be treated, and what medications are used? - briefly
Extract the tick using sterile fine‑point tweezers, pulling it out in a straight motion without crushing, then disinfect the wound; prescribe a short course of oral doxycycline (100 mg daily for 10–14 days) to prevent tick‑borne infection, adding a topical antibiotic if secondary bacterial infection develops.
How should subcutaneous ticks on a person's face be treated, and what medications are used? - in detail
Embedded ticks lodged beneath the skin of the facial region require prompt and precise management to prevent infection, allergic reactions, and transmission of tick‑borne pathogens.
The first step is complete mechanical extraction. The practitioner should:
- Apply a sterile, cold compress for 1–2 minutes to reduce blood flow and limit tick movement.
- Grasp the tick’s mouthparts with fine, blunt‑ended forceps as close to the skin as possible.
- Apply steady, upward traction without twisting to avoid rupture of the tick’s body.
- Inspect the bite site for retained mouthparts; if fragments remain, a small incision with a sterile scalpel may be needed, followed by careful removal.
After removal, the wound must be disinfected. Use a 70 % isopropyl alcohol swab or povidone‑iodine solution, allowing the area to air‑dry.
Pharmacologic therapy includes:
- Topical antiseptics – chlorhexidine gel applied twice daily for 3 days to prevent secondary bacterial colonisation.
- Systemic antibiotics – oral doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 7 days if the patient is at risk for Borrelia burgdorferi infection, or amoxicillin‑clavulanate 875/125 mg twice daily for 7 days when local bacterial infection is suspected.
- Antiparasitic agents – a single dose of ivermectin 200 µg/kg orally may be considered in regions where tick‑borne rickettsial diseases are prevalent, especially if systemic symptoms develop.
- Anti‑inflammatory medication – ibuprofen 400 mg every 6 hours for pain and swelling, unless contraindicated.
- Tetanus prophylaxis – administer tetanus toxoid if immunisation status is uncertain or the last booster exceeds 10 years.
Monitoring for complications is essential. Patients should be instructed to observe the site for increasing erythema, purulent discharge, or expanding rash, and to report fever, headache, or joint pain immediately. Follow‑up evaluation at 48 hours assesses wound healing and confirms complete tick removal.
In summary, successful treatment of facial subcutaneous ticks involves meticulous extraction, immediate antiseptic care, targeted antimicrobial therapy, and vigilant post‑procedural observation.