Tick Bite
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
What do I need to know about a tick bite?
Ticks need to be removed quickly. Most tick bites are not dangerous, but ticks can pass disease or infection when they bite. Diseases include Lyme disease, babesiosis, tularemia, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
What are the signs and symptoms of a tick bite?
Signs and symptoms may develop right away, or weeks or even months after a bite. You may have redness, pain, itching, and swelling near the bite area. Blisters may also develop. You may develop tick paralysis, a temporary condition that causes problems with leg movement. A disease from a tick bite may cause a fever, rash, body aches, or breathing problems.
How do I remove a tick?
Remove the tick as soon as possible to help prevent disease or infection. You are less likely to get sick from a tick bite if you remove the tick within 24 hours. Do not use petroleum jelly, nail polish, rubbing alcohol, or heat. These do not work and may be dangerous. Do the following to remove a tick:
- First, try a soapy cotton ball. Soak a cotton ball in liquid soap. Cover the tick with the cotton ball for 30 seconds. The tick may come off with the cotton ball when you pull it away.
- Use tweezers if the soapy cotton ball does not work. Grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible. Pull the tick straight up and out. Do not touch the tick with your bare hands.
- Do not twist or jerk the tick suddenly, because this may break off the tick's head or mouth parts. Do not leave any part of the tick in your skin.
- Do not crush or squeeze the tick since its body may be infected with germs. Flush the tick down the toilet.
- After the tick is removed, clean the area of the bite with rubbing alcohol. Then wash your hands with soap and water.
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How is a tick bite treated?
Treatment for a disease passed during the bite depends on the disease. You may only need medicines to lower a fever or fight a bacterial infection. More serious diseases can cause conditions such as breathing problems that need to be treated in a hospital. The following can help treat symptoms at the bite area:
- Apply ice on your bite for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel before you apply it to your skin. Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain.
- Medicines help decrease pain, redness, itching, and swelling. You may also need medicine to prevent or fight a bacterial infection. These medicines may be given as a cream, lotion, or pill.
How can I prevent a tick bite?
Ticks live in areas covered by brush and grass. They may even be found in your lawn if you live in certain areas. Outdoor pets can carry ticks inside the house. Ticks can grab onto you or your clothes when you walk by grass or brush. If you go into areas that contain many trees, tall grasses, and underbrush, do the following:
- Wear light colored pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck your pants into your socks or boots. Tuck in your shirt. Wear sleeves that fit close to the skin at your wrists and neck. This will help prevent ticks from crawling through gaps in your clothing and onto your skin. Wear a hat in areas with trees.
- Apply insect repellant on your skin. The insect repellant should contain DEET. Do not put insect repellant on skin that is cut, scratched, or irritated. Always use soap and water to wash the insect repellant off as soon as possible once you are indoors. Do not apply insect repellant on your child's face or hands.
- Spray insect repellant onto your clothes. Use permethrin spray. This spray kills ticks that crawl on your clothing. Be sure to spray the tops of your boots, bottom of pant legs, and sleeve cuffs. As soon as possible, wash and dry clothing in hot water and high heat.
- Check your clothing, hair, and skin for ticks. Shower within 2 hours of coming indoors. Carefully check the hairline, armpits, neck, and waist. Check your pets and children for ticks. Remove ticks from pets the same way as you remove them from people.
- Decrease the risk for ticks in your yard. Ticks like to live in shady, moist areas. Mow your lawn regularly to keep the grass short. Trim the grass around birdbaths and fences. Cut branches that are overgrown and take them out of the yard. Clear out leaf piles. Stack firewood in a dry, sunny area.
When should I seek immediate care?
- You have trouble walking or moving your legs.
- You have joint pain, muscle pain, or muscle weakness within 1 month of a tick bite.
- You have a fever, chills, headache, or rash.
When should I call my doctor?
- You cannot remove the tick.
- The tick's head is stuck in your skin.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
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