Where is an injection given after a tick bite? - briefly
The prophylactic injection is administered intramuscularly, most commonly into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm.
Where is an injection given after a tick bite? - in detail
After a tick attachment, prophylactic medication is administered intramuscularly in the upper arm. The injection is placed in the deltoid region, midway between the acromion process and the deltoid tuberosity. The skin is cleaned with an antiseptic, a sterile needle of appropriate length (generally 1 inch for adults) is inserted at a 90° angle, and the drug is delivered in a single dose.
Key procedural points:
- Patient positioned upright or seated, arm relaxed and slightly abducted.
- Needle gauge selected according to the viscosity of the preparation (typically 22‑25 G).
- Aspiration is not required for most prophylactic agents.
- After injection, the site is covered with a sterile adhesive bandage; the patient is observed for immediate adverse reactions.
If subcutaneous administration is indicated—for example, rabies immunoglobulin in certain protocols—the injection is delivered into the fatty tissue of the upper arm, just beneath the deltoid muscle. The same antiseptic preparation and aseptic technique apply, with a shorter needle (½‑¾ inch) inserted at a 45° angle.
Monitoring after the injection includes checking for local inflammation, allergic response, and ensuring the patient receives the full course of any subsequent oral prophylaxis, such as doxycycline for Lyme disease prevention.