What should be done for a tick bite: first aid?

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What should be done for a tick bite: first aid? - briefly
Remove the tick using fine‑tipped tweezers, gripping it as close to the skin as possible and pulling upward with steady pressure; then disinfect the bite site and wash your hands. Seek medical attention if the attachment lasted over 24 hours, removal was incomplete, or any rash, fever, or flu‑like symptoms appear.

What should be done for a tick bite: first aid? - in detail
When a tick attaches to the skin, immediate action reduces the risk of infection and disease transmission. Follow these steps precisely:

Locate and grasp the tick. Use fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool. Position the instrument as close to the skin as possible, gripping the tick’s head or mouthparts, not the body.
Pull upward with steady pressure. Apply a slow, even force straight out. Avoid twisting, jerking, or squeezing the abdomen, which can cause the tick to release saliva or regurgitate gut contents.
Disinfect the bite area. After removal, clean the site with an antiseptic such as iodine, chlorhexidine, or alcohol. Apply a mild antiseptic ointment if available.
Dispose of the tick safely. Place it in a sealed container, alcohol, or a zip‑lock bag. Keep it for identification if symptoms develop later; otherwise, discard it in the trash.
Monitor for symptoms. Over the next 2–4 weeks, watch for a rash (especially a bull’s‑eye pattern), fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, or joint pain. Record the date of the bite and any changes.
Seek medical evaluation promptly if any of the following occur:

Expanding redness or severe swelling at the bite site.
Flu‑like symptoms or a rash characteristic of Lyme disease.
Known exposure in an area endemic for tick‑borne illnesses.
Uncertainty about complete removal (e.g., mouthparts remain embedded).

Additional considerations:

Do not use folk remedies such as petroleum jelly, heat, or chemicals to force the tick out; they increase the chance of incomplete extraction.
Do not cut the skin or use sharp objects, which may cause additional tissue damage.
Do not crush the tick before removal; intact bodies minimize pathogen exposure.
If removal is difficult, consult a healthcare professional rather than attempting invasive techniques.

Documentation of the bite—including location, date, and any subsequent symptoms—facilitates accurate diagnosis and treatment should a tick‑borne disease develop. Early administration of appropriate antibiotics, such as doxycycline, is most effective when initiated within 72 hours of symptom onset.