What should be given for a tick bite in humans? - briefly
Promptly start a course of doxycycline (100 mg twice daily for 10–14 days) for recent bites in patients at risk of Lyme disease, and ensure thorough wound cleaning, tetanus prophylaxis if indicated, and close observation for emerging symptoms. If the bite is unremarkable and the patient is low‑risk, simple antiseptic care and monitoring suffice.
What should be given for a tick bite in humans? - in detail
A tick that has attached to the skin must be removed promptly. Grasp the head or mouthparts with fine‑point tweezers as close to the skin as possible, pull upward with steady pressure, and avoid crushing the body. After removal, cleanse the site with soap and water or an antiseptic.
Assess the attachment time. If the tick has been feeding for more than 36 hours and the bite occurred in an area where Lyme disease is common, a single 200 mg dose of doxycycline is recommended for adults; children weighing at least 15 kg receive 4 mg/kg. For patients allergic to doxycycline, amoxicillin (500 mg three times daily for 14 days) or cefuroxime (500 mg twice daily for 14 days) are alternatives.
Update tetanus immunisation if the patient’s last booster was more than 10 years ago, especially when the bite site is contaminated with soil.
Provide symptomatic relief as needed: acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and inflammation. Advise the patient to observe the bite area for signs of infection or rash, noting that erythema migrans typically appears 3–30 days after exposure. If a rash develops, or if systemic symptoms such as fever, headache, myalgia, or joint pain arise, seek medical evaluation promptly.
Consider additional prophylaxis based on geographic risk:
- In regions endemic for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, doxycycline (100 mg twice daily for 7 days) may be indicated if fever and rash develop.
- For babesiosis risk, perform blood smear or PCR testing if flu‑like symptoms occur within 1–4 weeks.
- For tick‑borne encephalitis, administer the specific vaccine series to individuals at high risk before exposure; post‑exposure immunoglobulin is not effective.
Document the tick species, if identifiable, and the exact location of the bite. Record the date of removal and any administered medication.
Follow‑up should include:
- Review of symptom progression at 48 hours and again at 2 weeks.
- Laboratory testing for Borrelia, Ehrlichia, or other pathogens if indicated by clinical presentation.
- Reinforcement of preventive measures: use of EPA‑registered repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants, and performing thorough tick checks after outdoor activities.
These steps constitute comprehensive management of a human tick bite.