What should be done if you are bitten by a tick? - briefly
Remove the attached tick promptly with fine‑tipped tweezers, gripping it as close to the skin as possible, then clean the bite site with antiseptic. Monitor the area for rash or fever and consult a healthcare professional if any symptoms appear.
What should be done if you are bitten by a tick? - in detail
If a tick attaches to your skin, act promptly to reduce the risk of infection.
First, remove the parasite without crushing its body. Use fine‑point tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking, which can leave mouthparts embedded. After extraction, clean the bite site and your hands with soap and water or an alcohol‑based sanitizer.
Next, preserve the removed tick for possible identification. Place it in a sealed container with a damp paper towel; store it at room temperature if you plan to bring it to a health professional. Do not crush the tick before storage.
Monitor the area for the following signs over the next several weeks:
- Redness or a rash expanding from the bite, especially a target‑shaped (“bull’s‑eye”) lesion.
- Fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, or fatigue.
- Swollen lymph nodes near the bite site.
If any of these symptoms appear, seek medical evaluation promptly. Inform the clinician that a tick bite occurred and provide the tick specimen if available; this assists in diagnosis and treatment decisions.
For individuals at higher risk (e.g., those with compromised immune systems, pregnant women, or residents of tick‑endemic regions), consider prophylactic antibiotics within 72 hours of removal, following local health‑authority guidelines.
Finally, document the date of the bite, the location on the body, and the type of environment where exposure occurred. This information supports accurate medical assessment should complications develop.