What should you do if bitten by a tick with Lyme disease? - briefly
Immediately remove the attached tick with fine‑tipped tweezers, disinfect the bite area, and consult a healthcare provider for evaluation and possible antibiotic therapy. Monitor for rash, fever, or joint pain and report any symptoms promptly.
What should you do if bitten by a tick with Lyme disease? - in detail
If a tick attached to your skin and may be infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, act immediately.
First, grasp the tick’s head with fine‑pointed tweezers, pull upward with steady pressure, avoiding crushing the body. Disinfect the bite site and your hands with alcohol or iodine.
Next, assess the need for prophylactic antibiotics. Current guidelines recommend a single dose of doxycycline (200 mg for adults, 4 mg/kg for children ≥8 years) when all the following criteria are met:
- The tick was attached for ≥36 hours, based on its engorgement.
- The tick is identified as an adult or nymphal Ixodes scapularis or Ixodes pacificus.
- Local infection rates for the species exceed 20 %.
- The patient is not allergic to doxycycline, is not pregnant, and is older than 8 years.
If any condition is not satisfied, do not start antibiotics without medical evaluation.
Schedule a prompt appointment with a healthcare provider. Bring the tick, if retained, for species identification. The clinician will:
- Record the date of bite and estimate attachment duration.
- Perform a physical exam, focusing on the erythema migrans rash, joint swelling, neurological signs, and cardiac findings.
- Order serologic testing (ELISA followed by Western blot) if symptoms develop or if the bite occurred in a high‑risk area and prophylaxis was not given.
Monitor for early signs over the next 30 days: expanding skin lesions, fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, and neurological disturbances. Document any changes and report them promptly.
If Lyme disease is confirmed or strongly suspected, initiate a full treatment regimen:
- Doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 10–21 days (adults).
- Amoxicillin 500 mg three times daily or cefuroxime axetil 500 mg twice daily for patients unable to take doxycycline.
- For neurologic or cardiac involvement, intravenous ceftriaxone for 14–28 days may be required.
Complete the prescribed course even if symptoms improve. Follow up after therapy to ensure resolution of rash, normalization of laboratory markers, and absence of lingering joint or neurological complaints.
Maintain records of all exposures, treatments, and test results for future reference and for any subsequent medical consultations.