I Found a Tick on Me – Now What? What to do After A Tick Bite

Spending time outdoors is one of the best parts of summer. Whether you’re gardening, hiking, enjoying a local park, or watching your child play sports, warmer weather brings more opportunities to be outside. Unfortunately, especially for those of us on Long Island, it also increases the risk of tick bites and tick-borne illnesses like Lyme Disease.

Finding a tick attached to your skin can be alarming, but knowing what to do next can help reduce the risk of complications and provide peace of mind.

What to Do After a Tick Bite: 3 Steps to Follow

Finding a tick attached to your skin can be unsettling, but knowing what to do next can help lower the risk of complications and give you peace of mind. Here are the steps the CDC recommends if you find a tick attached to your skin.

Step 1: Remove the Tick Promptly and Properly

If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible. Do not wait to see a healthcare provider before removing it.

• If you find a tick on your skin, remove it as soon as possible. Using clean, fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick. If part of the tick remains and you cannot remove it easily, leave it alone and allow the skin to heal.
• Do not use petroleum jelly, nail polish, heat, or other home remedies to remove the tick. After removal, dispose of the tick safely and clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer.
• After removing the tick, dispose of it by placing it in a sealed container, wrapping it tightly in tape, flushing it down the toilet, or placing it in alcohol. Avoid crushing the tick with your fingers.
• Then, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer.

Step 2: Check for Other Ticks and Monitor the Bite Area

If you find one tick attached, do a full tick check and look for any others that may still be on your body.

Many tick bites cause little to no reaction, but it is still important to watch for symptoms over the next several days and weeks. Watch for a rash, fever, or other flu-like symptoms. One of the most recognizable signs of Lyme disease is a circular rash that gradually expands and may resemble a bull’s-eye, though not everyone develops this rash.

Common symptoms of Lyme disease may include:

• Fever or chills
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle and joint aches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Neck stiffness

Symptoms can appear days or even weeks after a tick bite.

Step 3: Know When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

 

You should contact a healthcare provider if:

• You develop a rash after a tick bite
• You experience flu-like symptoms
• The tick was attached for a long time
• You are unsure whether the tick was completely removed
• You have concerns about possible exposure to Lyme disease or another tick-borne illness

Prevention Is Your Best Defense

Simple preventive measures can significantly reduce your risk of tick bites:

• Wear light-colored clothing when outdoors.
• Use EPA-registered insect repellents as directed.
• Stay on cleared paths when hiking.
• Avoid walking through tall grass and brush.
• Shower soon after spending time outdoors.
• Perform routine tick checks on yourself, children, and pets.

Enjoy Summer Safely

Ticks are a reality of life on Long Island, but they do not have to keep you from enjoying the outdoors. Knowing how to properly remove a tick, recognize potential symptoms, and seek medical advice when needed can help protect your health and your family’s health.

If you are unsure what to do after a tick bite or are experiencing symptoms that concern you, the healthcare providers at Harmony Healthcare Long Island are here to help.