How to treat a subcutaneous tick? - briefly
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with sterile tweezers and pull upward with steady, even pressure to remove it. Disinfect the bite area and monitor for redness, swelling, or fever for several days.
How to treat a subcutaneous tick? - in detail
A tick that has penetrated below the epidermis requires prompt, precise removal to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission and tissue irritation. The procedure begins with confirming the tick’s location; palpate the area to feel the embedded head and any surrounding swelling. If the tick is not visible, gently stretch the skin to expose the tip.
Gather sterile instruments: fine‑point tweezers or a curved, thin‑bladed forceps, antiseptic solution (e.g., 70 % isopropyl alcohol), and clean gauze. Disinfect the skin surrounding the tick and the tools before handling. Grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible, ideally at the mouthparts, without crushing the body. Apply steady, upward traction aligned with the tick’s axis; avoid twisting or jerking motions that could detach the mouthparts.
After extraction, place the tick in a sealed container with alcohol for identification if needed. Clean the bite site with antiseptic and cover with a sterile dressing. Observe the area for the next 24–48 hours for signs of infection: increasing redness, swelling, pus, or persistent pain. Systemic symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, or rash warrant immediate medical evaluation, as they may indicate transmission of tick‑borne diseases.
For patients with known allergies to tick saliva or a history of Lyme disease, prophylactic antibiotics may be considered according to local guidelines. Document the removal date, tick description, and any subsequent symptoms in the patient’s record.
Preventive measures include regular skin inspections after outdoor exposure, use of repellents containing DEET or permethrin, and wearing long clothing to minimize skin exposure. Prompt removal of unattached ticks before they embed further reduces the likelihood of deep tissue involvement.