What should I do if the tick carries Lyme disease, treatment? - briefly
Remove the tick promptly with fine tweezers, clean the site, and contact a healthcare provider for evaluation and possible doxycycline or another appropriate antibiotic regimen. Early treatment within 72 hours of bite significantly reduces the risk of chronic infection.
What should I do if the tick carries Lyme disease, treatment? - in detail
If a tick removed from the skin tests positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, immediate medical evaluation is required. The clinician will confirm exposure by reviewing the bite site, duration of attachment (greater than 24 hours increases risk), and geographic prevalence of Lyme disease.
Diagnostic steps
- Physical examination for erythema migrans or other skin lesions.
- Laboratory testing (two‑tier serology: enzyme‑linked immunoassay followed by Western blot) if symptoms develop or if the bite occurred in a high‑risk area.
- Consider polymerase‑chain‑reaction testing of the tick itself when available, although treatment decisions rely primarily on clinical assessment.
Treatment protocol
- Initiate oral doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 10–21 days in adults and children ≥8 years. Doxycycline also covers co‑infections such as anaplasmosis.
- For pregnant women, infants, or patients with doxycycline contraindications, prescribe amoxicillin 500 mg three times daily for 14–21 days or cefuroxime axetil 500 mg twice daily for the same duration.
- Severe manifestations (e.g., meningitis, carditis, arthritis) may require intravenous ceftriaxone 2 g once daily for 14–28 days.
Monitoring and follow‑up
- Re‑evaluate at 2–4 weeks for resolution of rash, fever, fatigue, arthralgia, or neurological signs.
- Document any adverse drug reactions; adjust regimen if intolerance occurs.
- If symptoms persist beyond the initial course, extend antibiotic therapy or assess for alternative diagnoses.
Prevention of recurrence
- Educate on proper tick removal: grasp the tick close to the skin with fine‑tipped tweezers, pull upward with steady pressure, avoid crushing the body.
- Apply EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin.
- Perform daily skin checks after outdoor activities in endemic regions; wash clothing in hot water.
Prompt initiation of the appropriate antibiotic regimen, combined with systematic follow‑up, reduces the likelihood of long‑term complications such as chronic arthritis or neuroborreliosis.