What to do if a tick has crawled onto you? - briefly
If a tick attaches, grasp it with fine‑point tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady pressure until it releases. Clean the bite site with antiseptic, wash your hands, and watch for rash or fever over the next weeks.
What to do if a tick has crawled onto you? - in detail
If you discover a tick attached to your skin, act promptly. First, keep the area visible; use a mirror or ask someone for assistance if the spot is hard to see. Choose fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal device. Grasp the parasite as close to the surface of the skin as possible, avoiding squeezing the body. Apply steady, upward pressure and pull straight out without twisting. After removal, place the tick in a sealed container or on a piece of tape for identification if symptoms develop later.
Clean the bite site with soap and water, then apply an antiseptic such as iodine or alcohol. Wash your hands thoroughly. Record the date of the bite and the location where the tick was found, noting any distinctive features that might aid identification. Observe the area for the next several weeks, watching for a expanding red ring (erythema migrans), fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, or joint pain. If any of these signs appear, seek medical evaluation promptly.
In regions where Lyme disease or other tick‑borne illnesses are common, contact a healthcare professional within 24–72 hours for possible prophylactic antibiotics. Provide the clinician with the tick’s species, if known, and the duration of attachment, as longer attachment increases infection risk.
Avoid common mistakes: do not use hot objects, petroleum jelly, or chemicals to force the tick off, as these can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain embedded. Do not crush the body, which may release pathogens. Do not delay removal; the longer the parasite stays attached, the higher the probability of disease transmission.
After the bite heals, consider preventive measures for future exposure: wear long sleeves and pants, use EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET or picaridin, treat clothing with permethrin, and perform regular full‑body checks after spending time in wooded or grassy areas.