What should you do if you suspect a tick bite? - briefly
Examine the area, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine‑point tweezers, pull upward with steady pressure, then disinfect the bite site. Watch for rash or fever for several weeks and contact a healthcare professional if any symptoms appear.
What should you do if you suspect a tick bite? - in detail
If you notice a possible tick attachment, act promptly.
First, confirm the presence of a tick. Examine the skin for a small, dark, engorged organism, especially in hidden areas such as scalp, behind ears, underarms, groin, and between toes.
Next, remove the parasite using fine‑pointed tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal device. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, applying steady upward pressure without twisting. Pull until the mouthparts detach completely. Do not crush the body, as this can release infectious material.
After extraction, clean the bite site and your hands with soap and water or an alcohol‑based antiseptic. Preserve the tick in a sealed container with a label indicating the date and location of removal; this may aid later diagnosis if illness develops.
Monitor the area for the next 30 days. Record any of the following symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle or joint aches
- Rash, especially a red expanding ring (erythema migrans)
Should any of these signs appear, seek medical evaluation promptly. Inform the clinician about the bite, the tick’s preservation, and the region where exposure occurred, as this information guides appropriate testing and treatment, such as doxycycline for suspected Lyme disease.
If you are uncertain about removal technique, consult a healthcare professional or local public‑health resource before attempting extraction.