What should be done if the tick that bit is infected with Lyme disease? - briefly
Remove the tick immediately, disinfect the bite site, and consult a healthcare professional within 72 hours for evaluation and possible antibiotic prophylaxis.
What should be done if the tick that bit is infected with Lyme disease? - in detail
If a tick that has attached to you is confirmed to carry Borrelia burgdorferi, immediate and systematic actions reduce the risk of Lyme disease progression.
First, remove the tick promptly. Use fine‑point tweezers or a tick‑removal tool, grasping the mouthparts as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure; avoid twisting or crushing the body, which can release additional pathogen material. After extraction, clean the bite site and hands with antiseptic or soap and water.
Second, document the encounter. Note the date of the bite, geographic location, and any identifiable tick characteristics (size, life stage). This information assists clinicians in assessing infection probability and determining appropriate therapy.
Third, seek medical evaluation without delay. A healthcare professional should review the exposure details and perform a physical examination, focusing on the erythema migrans rash, joint tenderness, neurologic signs, or cardiac symptoms. Laboratory testing (e.g., ELISA followed by Western blot) may be ordered, but treatment should not wait for results if clinical suspicion is high.
Fourth, initiate antibiotic therapy when indicated. The standard regimen for early localized disease is doxycycline 100 mg orally twice daily for 10–14 days (or amoxicillin/cefuroxime for contraindications). For patients with known allergy to doxycycline or for pregnant women, amoxicillin 500 mg three times daily for 14 days is recommended. Adherence to the full course is essential to eradicate the pathogen and prevent late manifestations.
Fifth, monitor for evolving symptoms during and after treatment. Persistent fatigue, joint pain, or neurological deficits warrant re‑evaluation, as they may signal treatment failure or a later stage of infection requiring extended therapy.
Finally, implement preventive measures to avoid future bites: wear long sleeves and trousers in endemic areas, treat clothing with permethrin, apply EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET or picaridin, and conduct thorough body checks after outdoor activities. Regular landscape management, such as removing leaf litter and tall grass, reduces tick habitat near residential zones.
By following these steps—prompt removal, meticulous documentation, professional medical assessment, appropriate antibiotic administration, vigilant follow‑up, and preventive practices—the likelihood of developing severe Lyme disease complications is markedly lowered.