What to do with a Lyme disease tick? - briefly
Remove the tick promptly using fine‑tipped tweezers, grasping it as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight upward with steady pressure; then disinfect the bite area and wash your hands. Monitor the site for rash or flu‑like symptoms over the next few weeks and consult a healthcare professional if any signs appear.
What to do with a Lyme disease tick? - in detail
When a tick is discovered attached to skin, act without delay. Grasp the insect as close to the epidermis as possible, using fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool. Apply steady, upward pressure; avoid twisting or crushing the body to prevent saliva from entering the wound. After removal, cleanse the bite site with soap and water or an antiseptic solution.
- Pull straight upward with firm, even force.
- Inspect the mouthparts; if any remain embedded, remove them with tweezers.
- Disinfect the area.
- Store the tick in a sealed container (plastic bag or vial) with a damp cotton ball for identification, or place it in a sealed envelope with a label noting date, location, and host.
Document the encounter: record the date of the bite, the geographic area, and any symptoms that develop. Retain the tick for at least two weeks to allow laboratory testing if erythema migrans or other signs appear.
Seek professional medical evaluation if any of the following occur within 30 days: rash resembling a target, fever, chills, fatigue, headache, joint pain, or neurological symptoms. A clinician may prescribe a short course of doxycycline or an alternative antibiotic, based on the estimated risk of infection and patient factors.
To reduce future exposure, wear long sleeves and trousers in wooded or grassy environments, treat clothing with permethrin, and conduct thorough body checks after outdoor activities. Use tick‑preventive pet products and maintain landscaping to lower tick habitats around homes.