How to fight a subcutaneous tick in a human? - briefly
Remove the tick promptly with fine‑point tweezers, grasping as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight upward; then disinfect the bite site and monitor for signs of infection. If the parasite is lodged beneath the epidermis, a sterile incision and professional medical assessment may be necessary.
How to fight a subcutaneous tick in a human? - in detail
A subcutaneous tick is a parasite that has penetrated the dermis and remains partially hidden beneath the skin surface. Immediate assessment includes visual inspection, palpation to locate the tick’s body, and evaluation of surrounding tissue for inflammation or infection.
Removal procedure:
- Disinfect the skin surrounding the tick with an antiseptic solution (e.g., chlorhexidine or povidone‑iodine).
- Grasp the tick’s head or mouthparts with fine‑pointed tweezers as close to the skin as possible.
- Apply steady, gentle traction to extract the organism without crushing its body.
- Avoid twisting or jerking motions that could leave mouthparts embedded.
- After extraction, cleanse the bite area again with antiseptic and cover with a sterile dressing.
Post‑removal actions:
- Store the removed tick in a sealed container with alcohol for possible laboratory identification.
- Observe the bite site for signs of erythema, swelling, or necrosis over the next 48 hours.
- If a rash, fever, or flu‑like symptoms develop, seek medical evaluation promptly.
Medical consultation is warranted when:
- Mouthparts remain visible after extraction.
- The bite area shows rapid expansion, ulceration, or pus formation.
- Systemic symptoms such as headache, joint pain, or neurological changes appear.
Preventive measures: