How to fight a subcutaneous tick? - briefly
Use fine‑point tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady pressure, then clean the area with antiseptic and monitor for infection. If removal is difficult or the tick is deeply embedded, obtain professional medical assistance.
How to fight a subcutaneous tick? - in detail
When a tick has penetrated beneath the skin surface, immediate and precise action reduces the risk of infection and disease transmission.
First, confirm the tick’s location by gently parting the hair or clothing around the area. Visual inspection should reveal the head or mouthparts embedded in the dermis.
Second, prepare sterile tools. Use fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick removal device that can grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Disinfect the tweezers with alcohol or a bleach solution before handling.
Third, grasp the tick’s head or mouthparts firmly, avoiding compression of the body. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist, jerk, or squeeze the abdomen, as this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the tissue.
Fourth, after extraction, cleanse the bite site with an antiseptic such as povidone‑iodine or chlorhexidine. Apply a clean dressing if bleeding occurs.
Fifth, preserve the removed tick for identification if needed. Place it in a sealed container with a moist cotton ball, label with date and location, and store at room temperature.
Sixth, monitor the site for signs of infection: redness expanding beyond the immediate area, swelling, pus, or increasing pain. Also watch for systemic symptoms—fever, headache, fatigue, rash—within the next two weeks. If any of these develop, seek medical evaluation promptly.
Seventh, consider prophylactic treatment. Certain tick‑borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, may warrant a single dose of doxycycline if removal occurs within 72 hours of the bite and local infection rates are high. This decision should be made by a healthcare professional.
Preventive measures include wearing long sleeves and pants in tick‑infested habitats, applying EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET or permethrin, and performing thorough body checks after outdoor exposure. Regularly treat pets and domestic animals with veterinarian‑approved tick control products to reduce the overall tick burden in the environment.