What should be done if a tick is a carrier of Borrelia? - briefly
Remove the tick promptly using fine‑tipped tweezers, grasping it as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight out. Clean the bite site, watch for early signs of infection, and consult a healthcare professional for possible antibiotic prophylaxis.
What should be done if a tick is a carrier of Borrelia? - in detail
If a tick is identified as infected with Borrelia, immediate removal is essential. Grasp the tick with fine‑point tweezers as close to the skin as possible, pull upward with steady pressure, and avoid crushing the body. After extraction, cleanse the bite site with an antiseptic solution and wash hands thoroughly.
Following removal, observe the wound for signs of erythema migrans—a expanding red rash that typically appears within 3‑30 days. Additional symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, or joint pain. Document the date of the bite and any emerging signs.
Consult a healthcare professional promptly. Provide the clinician with details of the bite, the tick’s infection status, and any symptoms. The physician may prescribe a short course of doxycycline (or an alternative antibiotic for contraindicated patients) as prophylactic treatment, especially if the bite occurred in a region with high Lyme disease prevalence and the tick was attached for more than 36 hours.
If prophylaxis is not administered, schedule a follow‑up evaluation 2–4 weeks after the bite to reassess for delayed manifestations. Laboratory testing—such as enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) followed by Western blot—may be ordered if clinical suspicion persists.
Prevent future exposure by:
- Wearing long sleeves and trousers in wooded or grassy areas.
- Applying EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.
- Performing full‑body tick checks after outdoor activities and promptly removing any attached ticks.
- Treating clothing and gear with permethrin before use.
Adhering to these measures reduces the risk of Borrelia transmission and facilitates early detection and treatment when exposure occurs.