How to treat subcutaneous ticks and their symptoms? - briefly
Extract the subdermal tick with sterile tweezers, gripping the head and pulling straight upward, then disinfect the bite site and watch for local redness, fever, or joint pain. If systemic symptoms develop, seek medical evaluation for appropriate antibiotic or antiparasitic treatment.
How to treat subcutaneous ticks and their symptoms? - in detail
Embedded ticks beneath the skin can cause localized inflammation, infection, and systemic reactions. Prompt recognition and appropriate management reduce complications.
The first step is to confirm the presence of a tick that has migrated into the subdermal tissue. Typical signs include a raised, firm nodule, erythema, tenderness, or a palpable foreign‑body sensation. Occasionally, patients report itching, burning, or flu‑like symptoms such as fever, headache, and malaise, indicating possible pathogen transmission.
Removal should be performed by a qualified healthcare professional. The recommended procedure involves:
- Sterilizing the skin around the lesion with an antiseptic solution.
- Using a fine‑point sterile forceps or a specially designed tick removal instrument to grasp the tick’s mouthparts as close to the skin as possible.
- Applying steady, gentle traction to extract the organism without crushing its body, which could release pathogens.
- Inspecting the extracted tick for completeness; any retained mouthparts require surgical excision.
After extraction, the wound must be cleaned with an antiseptic (e.g., povidone‑iodine) and covered with a sterile dressing. Monitoring for signs of infection—redness extending beyond the margin, increasing pain, purulent discharge, or fever—should continue for at least 48 hours.
Pharmacologic interventions include:
- Antibiotics: Empirical oral doxycycline (100 mg twice daily for 10–14 days) is indicated when the tick species is known to transmit bacterial agents such as Borrelia burgdorferi or Rickettsia spp., or when systemic symptoms develop.
- Analgesics/anti‑inflammatories: Non‑steroidal agents (ibuprofen 400 mg every 6 h) reduce pain and swelling.
- Antihistamines: Oral cetirizine (10 mg daily) alleviates pruritus and mild allergic reactions.
- Steroids: A short course of oral prednisone (20–30 mg daily for 3 days) may be required for severe local inflammation or hypersensitivity.
Patients with known hypersensitivity to tick saliva or a history of anaphylaxis should carry an epinephrine auto‑injector and seek immediate emergency care if systemic reactions arise.
Follow‑up evaluation, typically 1–2 weeks post‑removal, assesses wound healing, confirms the absence of residual tick parts, and screens for delayed manifestations such as Lyme disease seroconversion. Serologic testing is warranted if erythema migrans, joint pain, or neurological symptoms appear.
Preventive measures—regular skin examinations after outdoor exposure, use of repellents containing DEET or picaridin, and wearing protective clothing—reduce the risk of subcutaneous tick implantation and subsequent health issues.