What should be applied to a tick bite on a person? - briefly
Clean the bite area with soap and water, then apply an antiseptic such as povidone‑iodine or chlorhexidine and cover with a sterile dressing; consider a single dose of doxycycline (200 mg) within 72 hours if the tick was attached for more than 24 hours and disease risk is high.Clean the bite area with soap and water, then apply an antiseptic such as povidone‑iodine or chlorhexidine and cover with a sterile dressing; consider a single dose of doxycycline (200 mg) within 72 hours if the tick was attached for more than 24 hours and disease risk is high.
What should be applied to a tick bite on a person? - in detail
Remove the tick with fine‑point tweezers, grasping as close to the skin as possible, and pull upward with steady pressure. Avoid crushing the body, which could release pathogens.
Clean the site thoroughly using antiseptic solution—preferably chlorhexidine or povidone‑iodine—and rinse with sterile water. Pat dry with a clean gauze.
Apply a topical antimicrobial agent to reduce bacterial colonisation. Suitable options include:
- 2% chlorhexidine gluconate ointment
- 1% povidone‑iodine cream
- Bacitracin or mupirocin ointment for patients without known allergies
If the bite is painful or inflamed, a short course of a non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drug (e.g., ibuprofen 200 mg every 6 hours) can be taken, provided there are no contraindications.
Consider systemic prophylaxis against tick‑borne diseases when the tick species is known to transmit Lyme disease or other infections and the removal occurred within 72 hours. Doxycycline 100 mg orally once daily for 10–14 days is the standard regimen for Lyme disease prevention in adults; pediatric dosing follows weight‑based guidelines.
Monitor the area for signs of infection—redness extending beyond the margin, increasing pain, swelling, or fever. Seek medical evaluation if any of these symptoms develop, or if the tick was attached for more than a week. Regular follow‑up ensures early detection of potential complications.