What should be done if a tick has burrowed completely under the skin? - briefly
Grasp the fully embedded «tick» as close to the skin as possible with fine‑point tweezers, apply steady upward pressure to remove it, then disinfect the area and monitor for infection, seeking medical attention if removal is difficult or symptoms appear.
What should be done if a tick has burrowed completely under the skin? - in detail
When a tick has embedded itself fully beneath the epidermis, immediate removal is essential to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission. The following procedure should be carried out with sterile instruments and aseptic technique.
- Disinfect the surrounding skin with an alcohol swab or iodine solution.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible with fine‑point tweezers.
- Apply steady, gentle traction upward, avoiding twisting or crushing the body.
- If the mouthparts remain lodged, do not dig them out; instead, cover the area with a sterile dressing and seek medical assistance.
After extraction, cleanse the bite site again and apply an antiseptic ointment. Observe the area for signs of infection—redness, swelling, pus, or increasing pain—over the next several days. Systemic symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, or rash warrant prompt consultation with a healthcare professional, as they may indicate tick‑borne disease.
In cases where removal is difficult or the tick is deeply embedded, professional medical extraction is recommended. Physicians may use specialized instruments or perform a minor incision under local anesthesia to ensure complete removal and minimize tissue trauma.
Vaccination status for diseases like tick‑borne encephalitis should be reviewed, and prophylactic antibiotics may be considered according to regional guidelines and the duration of attachment.
Documentation of the tick’s species, if possible, assists clinicians in assessing disease risk and determining appropriate follow‑up.