What should be taken for a subcutaneous tick? - briefly
Administer a single 200 mg dose of doxycycline within 72 hours of the bite, unless contraindicated. Remove the embedded tick with fine‑pointed tweezers and cleanse the area with an antiseptic.
What should be taken for a subcutaneous tick? - in detail
When a tick has penetrated beneath the skin, immediate action focuses on safe extraction, infection prevention, and monitoring for disease transmission.
First, remove the parasite without crushing its body. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine‑point tweezers, pull upward with steady pressure, and clean the site with an antiseptic solution. Do not apply heat, chemicals, or petroleum products, as these can increase pathogen release.
After extraction, consider the following pharmacologic measures:
- Antibiotic prophylaxis – If the tick is identified as a carrier of Borrelia burgdorferi (common in regions with high Lyme disease prevalence) and the attachment time exceeds 36 hours, a single dose of doxycycline 200 mg is recommended for adults; children over 8 kg may receive 4 mg/kg. Alternative agents (amoxicillin or cefuroxime) are appropriate for pregnant women, nursing mothers, or individuals with doxycycline contraindications.
- Analgesic/anti‑inflammatory – Ibuprofen 400–600 mg every 6–8 hours can alleviate local pain and swelling. Acetaminophen is an option when NSAIDs are unsuitable.
- Antihistamine – A non‑sedating H1 blocker (e.g., cetirizine 10 mg daily) may reduce itching and rash development.
Observation is essential. Record the date of the bite, tick species if known, and any emerging symptoms such as erythema migrans, fever, headache, or joint pain. Seek medical evaluation promptly if:
- A expanding red rash appears within 30 days.
- Flu‑like symptoms develop.
- Neurological signs (facial palsy, meningitis) or cardiac abnormalities emerge.
Vaccination against tick‑borne diseases (e.g., Lyme disease vaccines, where available) should be discussed with a healthcare provider for individuals at high risk of repeated exposure.