What to do when a tick bites you? - briefly
If a tick attaches, grasp it with fine‑tipped tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady pressure, then disinfect the bite site and wash your hands. Monitor the area for several weeks for rash, fever, or other symptoms and consult a healthcare professional if any appear.
What to do when a tick bites you? - in detail
When a tick attaches to the skin, act promptly. First, use fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool. Grasp the tick as close to the surface of the skin as possible, avoiding squeezing the body. Pull upward with steady, even pressure; do not twist or jerk. After removal, place the specimen in a sealed container in case identification is needed later.
Next, cleanse the bite site and your hands with soap and water, then apply an antiseptic such as iodine or alcohol. Do not use harsh chemicals that could irritate the skin. Preserve the tick in a labeled vial if you intend to send it for laboratory testing.
Observe the area for the following signs over the next several weeks: a rash that expands from the bite, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, or joint pain. If any of these symptoms appear, seek medical evaluation promptly. Inform the clinician about the recent tick exposure and provide the tick specimen if available.
Consider prophylactic treatment only under specific conditions: attachment lasting more than 36 hours, exposure in an area with high incidence of Lyme disease, and the patient is otherwise healthy. In such cases, a single dose of doxycycline may be prescribed within 72 hours of removal, following a healthcare professional’s assessment.
To reduce future risk, wear long sleeves and trousers when in wooded or grassy environments, tuck clothing into socks, and treat clothing with permethrin. Perform full‑body checks after outdoor activities, paying special attention to scalp, armpits, groin, and behind the knees. Prompt removal within 24 hours markedly lowers the chance of pathogen transmission.