What should be done to treat a person bitten by a tick? - briefly
Remove the tick promptly using fine‑tipped tweezers, grasping it as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight out; then clean the bite site with antiseptic. Observe the area for rash or fever and consult a healthcare professional for possible prophylactic antibiotics, especially if the attachment lasted more than 36 hours or the tick is from a disease‑endemic region.
What should be done to treat a person bitten by a tick? - in detail
When a tick attaches to skin, immediate removal is the first priority. Use fine‑point tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the epidermis as possible, pulling upward with steady pressure. Avoid twisting or crushing the body, which can release saliva and increase infection risk. After extraction, cleanse the area with an antiseptic solution such as povidone‑iodine or chlorhexidine and apply a sterile dressing if bleeding occurs.
Observe the bite site for several days. Typical early signs include a red, expanding rash (often termed an “erythema migrans”) or localized swelling. Systemic symptoms—fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, or joint pain—may develop within 3–14 days. Record the date of the bite, the geographic location, and any known tick species, as this information guides further management.
If a rash characteristic of Lyme disease appears, or if flu‑like symptoms emerge, initiate antibiotic therapy promptly. Doxycycline (100 mg orally twice daily for 10–21 days) is the first‑line agent for adults and children over eight years. For younger children, amoxicillin (50 mg/kg/day divided three times) is recommended. In cases of severe neurologic involvement, intravenous ceftriaxone (2 g daily) may be required.
When the bite occurs in an area endemic for tick‑borne pathogens other than Borrelia (e.g., Anaplasma, Babesia, or Rocky Mountain spotted fever agents), consider additional diagnostics. Perform serologic testing or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays on blood samples, guided by the clinical picture and local epidemiology. Adjust antimicrobial regimens accordingly: doxycycline also covers Anaplasma and Rickettsia; atovaquone plus azithromycin is used for babesiosis.
Vaccination status should be reviewed. In regions where tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) is prevalent, a single dose of TBE vaccine can be administered after exposure, provided the individual is not already immunized.
Documentation of the entire course—tick removal, wound care, symptom progression, laboratory results, and treatment—facilitates follow‑up and informs public health reporting. If symptoms persist or worsen despite therapy, refer the patient to an infectious disease specialist for advanced evaluation.