What should I do if the tick has not yet attached? - briefly
If the tick has not yet latched, grasp it as close to the skin as possible with fine tweezers and pull upward with steady pressure; then disinfect the bite site and wash your hands.
What should I do if the tick has not yet attached? - in detail
If you notice a tick crawling on your skin but it has not yet begun to feed, act promptly to prevent attachment and possible disease transmission.
First, keep calm and use fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, avoiding squeezing the body. Pull upward with steady, even pressure; do not twist or jerk, which can leave mouthparts embedded. After removal, place the specimen in a sealed container with a label indicating the date and location, in case identification is needed later.
Second, cleanse the bite area and your hands with an alcohol swab or soap and water. Apply an antiseptic ointment if desired. Observe the site for signs of redness, swelling, or rash over the next several days.
Third, document any symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, or fatigue that develop within two weeks. If any of these appear, seek medical evaluation promptly and inform the clinician about the recent tick encounter, including the species if known.
Fourth, consider prophylactic treatment only when local health authorities recommend it for the specific tick species and disease risk. Do not self‑administer antibiotics without professional guidance.
Fifth, review preventive measures to reduce future encounters: wear long sleeves and pants in wooded areas, tuck clothing into socks, use EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or permethrin on clothing, and perform thorough body checks after outdoor activities.
By following these steps—immediate removal, proper cleaning, vigilant monitoring, timely medical consultation, and preventive practices—you minimize the chance of attachment and associated health hazards.