What to do if a tick has burrowed under the skin? - briefly
Use fine‑tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure; then disinfect the area and monitor for rash or fever. If removal proves difficult or symptoms develop, obtain medical care promptly.
What to do if a tick has burrowed under the skin? - in detail
When a tick embeds itself beneath the skin, immediate removal is essential to reduce the risk of infection and disease transmission. Follow these steps precisely:
-
Locate the tick. Use a magnifying glass or a well‑lit surface to identify the head and mouthparts. The body may be partially hidden, but the attachment point is usually visible at the skin’s surface.
-
Prepare sterile tools. Obtain fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal device, and disinfect them with alcohol or boiling water. Wear disposable gloves if available.
-
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Position the tweezers at the base of the mouthparts, avoiding compression of the body, which could force saliva into the host.
-
Apply steady, upward traction. Pull straight out with even force; do not twist or jerk, as this may detach the mouthparts and leave them embedded.
-
Inspect the extraction site. Ensure the entire tick, including the head, has been removed. If any fragment remains, repeat the removal process with fresh sterile tweezers.
-
Disinfect the bite area. Clean the wound with an antiseptic solution such as povidone‑iodine or chlorhexidine. Cover with a sterile bandage if needed.
-
Dispose of the tick safely. Place it in a sealed container, then discard in household waste or submit to a local health department for identification if disease monitoring is required.
-
Monitor for symptoms. Over the next 2–4 weeks, watch for rash, fever, fatigue, joint pain, or flu‑like signs. Document any changes and note the date of the bite.
-
Seek medical evaluation if:
- The tick could not be removed completely.
- The bite area becomes increasingly red, swollen, or painful.
- Systemic symptoms appear, especially rash resembling a “bull’s‑eye” pattern.
- The tick was attached for more than 24 hours, or the region is known for tick‑borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or anaplasmosis.
-
Consider prophylactic treatment. A healthcare professional may prescribe a single dose of doxycycline within 72 hours of removal for high‑risk exposures, based on regional disease prevalence.
Adhering to these measures minimizes complications and ensures prompt medical attention if necessary.