How to treat a subcutaneous facial tick? - briefly
Remove the tick by making a sterile, shallow incision in the overlying skin and extracting the entire organism, then cleanse the area with an antiseptic and observe for signs of infection. Consider a tetanus booster if appropriate and seek medical advice for possible antibiotic prophylaxis.
How to treat a subcutaneous facial tick? - in detail
Removing a tick embedded beneath the skin of the face requires prompt, sterile technique to prevent infection and secondary complications.
Initial assessment should confirm the tick’s location, depth, and any signs of inflammation. Visual inspection may reveal a small puncture wound with a raised, often translucent nodule. If the tick is not visible externally, gentle palpation can help locate the exact point of insertion.
The following procedure is recommended:
- Prepare a sterile field: clean the area with an antiseptic solution such as chlorhexidine or povidone‑iodine.
- Gather instruments: fine‑point sterile forceps, a small scalpel or lancet, sterile gauze, and a topical antibiotic ointment.
- Stabilize the skin: place a piece of gauze around the tick to minimize movement of surrounding tissue.
- Expose the tick: using the scalpel, make a shallow incision directly over the puncture site, taking care not to cut deeper than necessary.
- Grasp the tick’s mouthparts with the forceps as close to the skin as possible.
- Apply steady, gentle traction to extract the organism in one motion. Avoid twisting or jerking, which may fracture the mouthparts and leave fragments embedded.
- Inspect the extracted tick for completeness; retained fragments should be removed with the same technique.
- Irrigate the wound with sterile saline, then apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a sterile dressing.
- Advise monitoring for signs of infection, local swelling, or systemic symptoms such as fever or rash. If any adverse signs develop, seek medical evaluation promptly.
Documentation of the incident, including the tick’s appearance and the removal method, supports accurate follow‑up and potential reporting to public‑health authorities.