What should be done immediately if a tick bites? - briefly
«Remove the tick promptly with fine‑tipped tweezers, grasping it as close to the skin as possible and pulling upward with steady pressure». Clean the bite site with antiseptic and watch for rash or fever over the following weeks.
What should be done immediately if a tick bites? - in detail
If a tick attaches, remove it without delay.
- Locate the tick’s head. Use fine‑pointed tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible.
- Apply steady, upward pressure; avoid twisting or crushing the body.
- Withdraw the tick in one smooth motion.
After extraction, clean the bite site with antiseptic (e.g., iodine or alcohol). Disinfect the tweezers with the same agent.
Monitor the area for several weeks. Signs that require medical evaluation include:
- Redness spreading beyond the bite margin
- A bull’s‑eye rash (erythema migrans)
- Fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, or fatigue
If any of these symptoms appear, consult a healthcare professional promptly. In regions where Lyme disease is prevalent, a single dose of doxycycline (200 mg) may be prescribed as prophylaxis within 72 hours of removal, provided the tick was attached for ≥ 36 hours.
Document the date of the bite, the estimated duration of attachment, and, when possible, preserve the tick in a sealed container for identification. This information assists clinicians in assessing infection risk and selecting appropriate treatment.