What to do if bitten by a Lyme disease tick? - briefly
Remove the tick promptly using fine‑point tweezers, grasping it close to the skin and pulling straight out, then disinfect the bite site. Contact a healthcare professional within 24 hours to assess the need for prophylactic antibiotics.
What to do if bitten by a Lyme disease tick? - in detail
If a tick attached while you were outdoors, remove it promptly and begin proper care.
First, use fine‑pointed tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool. Grip the tick as close to the skin as possible, pull upward with steady, even pressure, and avoid squeezing the body. After removal, cleanse the bite site and your hands with soap and water or an alcohol‑based rub.
Next, preserve the specimen for identification. Place the tick in a sealed container with a damp paper towel; label with date and location of the bite. If the tick can be identified as a known carrier of Borrelia burgdorferi, this information assists medical evaluation.
Then, monitor for early signs of infection over the following weeks. Look for a expanding erythema migrans rash, typically appearing 3–30 days after the bite. Record any flu‑like symptoms—fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle or joint aches.
If any of these manifestations develop, seek medical attention without delay. A clinician will assess risk based on tick species, attachment duration (generally >36 hours increases likelihood), and clinical signs. When indicated, prescribe a short course of doxycycline (100 mg twice daily for 10–21 days) or an alternative antibiotic for those with contraindications.
If no symptoms emerge after four weeks, no treatment is required, but retain the tick for future reference.
Key actions summarized:
- Grasp tick near skin, pull upward steadily; avoid crushing.
- Disinfect bite area and hands.
- Store tick in sealed, labeled container for possible identification.
- Observe site daily for rash; note systemic symptoms.
- Consult a healthcare provider promptly if rash or flu‑like signs appear; follow prescribed antibiotic regimen.
- Continue observation for at least one month; if asymptomatic, conclude monitoring.