Lyme disease: what should I do if a tick bit me?

Lyme disease: what should I do if a tick bit me? - briefly

Remove the tick promptly with fine‑tipped tweezers, clean the area with antiseptic, and consult a healthcare professional about a single dose of doxycycline within 72 hours. Monitor for a rash, fever, or joint pain for several weeks and report any symptoms to your doctor.

Lyme disease: what should I do if a tick bit me? - in detail

If a tick attaches to your skin, act promptly to reduce the risk of infection.

1. Remove the tick within 24 hours.
   • Use fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool.
   • Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, pull upward with steady pressure.
   • Avoid twisting, crushing, or squeezing the body, which can release pathogens.

2. Clean the bite site.
   • Wash with soap and water or apply an antiseptic solution.
   • Disinfect your hands after handling the tick.

3. Preserve the specimen for identification.
   • Place the tick in a sealed container with a damp cotton ball.
   • Label with date, location, and environment (e.g., wooded area).
   • Submit to a public‑health laboratory or veterinary clinic if available.

4. Assess the exposure timeline.
   • Note the date of removal; the tick must have been attached for at least 36–48 hours for transmission of the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.
   • Record any symptoms that develop: rash (often a red expanding ring), fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle or joint aches.

5. Seek medical evaluation.
   • Contact a healthcare provider if the tick was attached for more than 36 hours, if you develop a rash, or if flu‑like symptoms appear within 30 days.
   • Provide the preserved tick and your exposure details.
   • The clinician may prescribe a short course of doxycycline (or an alternative antibiotic) as prophylaxis when criteria are met.

6. Follow treatment instructions.
   • Complete the full antibiotic regimen even if symptoms subside.
   • Report any adverse reactions or persistent symptoms to your provider.

7. Monitor for delayed manifestations.
   • Continue observing the bite area for several weeks.
   • Be alert for joint swelling, neurological signs (e.g., facial palsy), or cardiac irregularities, which may indicate later stages of infection.

Preventive measures for future encounters include wearing long sleeves and pants in tick‑infested habitats, applying EPA‑registered repellents, and performing thorough body checks after outdoor activities. Prompt removal and appropriate medical care remain the most effective strategy to avoid complications.