How to treat a Lyme tick? - briefly
Use fine‑tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady pressure, then clean the bite site with antiseptic. Contact a healthcare professional promptly for evaluation and, if indicated, a course of antibiotics.
How to treat a Lyme tick? - in detail
When a tick attached to the skin is identified, remove it promptly with fine‑point tweezers, grasping as close to the mouthparts as possible and pulling straight upward. Disinfect the site with an antiseptic and note the date of removal for later reference.
Assess the risk of infection by evaluating the tick’s species, stage, and duration of attachment. If the bite occurred within the past 72 hours and the tick is identified as an Ixodes species, initiate prophylactic therapy without waiting for serologic confirmation. Otherwise, monitor for early signs such as erythema migrans, fever, chills, headache, fatigue, or arthralgia.
Antibiotic regimens recommended for early localized disease include:
- Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice daily for 10–14 days (first‑line for adults and children ≥8 years).
- Amoxicillin 500 mg orally three times daily for 14 days (alternative for pregnant patients, infants, or doxycycline‑intolerant individuals).
- Cefuroxime axetil 500 mg orally twice daily for 14 days (alternative when amoxicillin is unsuitable).
For disseminated or late manifestations, extend therapy to 21–28 days and consider intravenous options such as ceftriaxone 2 g daily for severe neurologic or cardiac involvement.
After completing antibiotics, re‑evaluate the patient at 2–4 weeks. Persistent or recurrent symptoms may require additional imaging, lumbar puncture, or referral to a specialist. Document any adverse drug reactions and adjust future prophylaxis accordingly.
Preventive measures include regular body checks after outdoor activities, use of EPA‑registered repellents, and wearing long sleeves and pants in endemic areas. Maintaining these practices reduces the likelihood of future exposure.