TICK BITE

 

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

 

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR TICK BITE

  1. Wood Tick Removal:
    • Use a pair of tweezers and grasp the wood tick close to the skin (on its head). Pull the wood tick straight upward without twisting or crushing it. Maintain a steady pressure until it releases its grip.  
    • If tweezers aren't available, use fingers, a loop of thread around the jaws, or a needle between the jaws for traction.
    • Note: covering the tick with petroleum jelly, nail polish or rubbing alcohol doesn't work. Neither does touching the tick with a hot or cold object.
  2. Tiny Deer Tick Removal:  
    • Needs to be scraped off with a knife blade or credit card edge.
    • Place tick in a sealed container (e.g. glass jar, zip lock plastic bag), in case your doctor wants to see it.
  3. Tick's Head Removal:
    • If the wood tick's head breaks off in the skin, it must be removed. Clean the skin. Then use a sterile needle to uncover the head and lift it out or scrape it off.
    • If a very small piece of the head remains, the skin will eventually slough it off.
  4. Antibiotic Ointment: Wash the wound and your hands with soap and water after removal to prevent catching any tick disease.  Apply an over the counter antibiotic ointment (e.g. bacitracin) to the bite once.
  5. Expected Course: Tick bites normally don't itch or hurt. That's why they often go unnoticed.
  6. Prevention of Tick Bites:
    • Prevention is important if you are hiking in tick-infested areas.
    • Wear long pants and a long shirt. Tuck your shirt into your pants. Tuck the cuffs of your pants into your socks or boots. Light-colored clothing is better because the ticks can be seen more easily.
    • Inspect your entire body and your clothing every couple hours. Favorite places are in the hair, so be certain to check your scalp, neck, armpits, and groin.
    • A shower at the end of a hike will help rinse off any tick that is not firmly attached.
  7. Call Your Doctor If:
    • You can't remove the tick or the tick's head
    • Fever or rash occur in the next 2 weeks
    • Bite begins to look infected
    • You become worse or develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Adult SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004 David Thompson, M.D. FACEP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 7/2002

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