What to do if you find a tick
Finding a tick can be scary, especially if you can’t see where it is attached. Ticks are small spider-like bugs that feed on blood. They often attach themselves to human skin without being noticed. If you find a tick, it’s important to remove it as soon as possible to prevent possible infections. Here are some quick answers to common questions about tick removal:
How do you know if you have a tick?
Some signs that you may have a tick include:
- A small red bump on your skin that looks like a mole or insect bite
- A stinging, itchy or burning sensation where the tick attached
- A rash around the area of the bite
- Flu-like symptoms like fever, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue
If you suspect a tick bite, do a thorough check of your entire body to locate it. Ticks often hide in hairy areas like the groin, armpits, and scalp.
What should you do if you find an attached tick?
If you find a tick attached to your skin, follow these steps:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible.
- Pull the tick straight out slowly and gently. Do not twist or jerk it.
- After removing, wash the area with soap and water.
- Disinfect the bite site and your hands with rubbing alcohol or an iodine scrub.
- Dispose of the live tick by submerging it in alcohol or flushing it down the toilet.
Avoid pulling the tick out with your fingers or using substances like petroleum jelly or heat to try and dislodge it. This may actually increase the chances of infection. The key is to remove the entire tick’s body intact with tweezers.
What should you do if the tick’s head breaks off and stays in the skin?
If the tick’s head or mouthparts break off and remain in your skin, don’t panic. Use a sterile needle to gently lift it out. Be careful not to squeeze the area as you do this to avoid spreading potential infections. After the head is removed, clean and disinfect the site like you normally would after a tick bite. Monitor for signs of infection. In most cases, the body will slowly eject the remaining parts of the tick over time. If any swelling, pain or redness develops, call your doctor.
When should you see a doctor about a tick bite?
You should seek medical care if:
- The rash around the bite grows or looks infected
- Flu symptoms like fever and muscle aches develop
- You are unable to fully remove the tick
- Part of the tick remains stuck in your skin
- You experience severe symptoms or health complications after the bite
Doctors can test the tick for diseases and provide antibiotics if needed. Prompt treatment is important for certain tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease.
How to remove a tick you can’t see
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of tick removal when you can locate the tick, what should you do if you can’t find it? Here are some tips:
Carefully search your entire body
Ticks can hide in hard-to-see areas like the scalp, behind knees or ears, in belly buttons, under arms, in the groin and between toes. Conduct a full body tick check, examining your skin closely. Enlist someone to help check harder to reach spots.
Look for “bulls-eye” rashes
Some tick-borne diseases like Lyme can cause a distinctive bulls-eye shaped rash around the bite site. The rash usually appears 3 to 30 days after being bitten. Look for round, expanding rashes and monitor for flu-like symptoms.
Recall recent activities
Think back to any recent activities where you could have been exposed to ticks. Were you hiking, camping, gardening, or in wooded areas? Ticks live in grassy, brushy environments. Knowing the possible source can help locate the bite.
Feel for new lumps or bumps
Use your fingers to carefully feel all over your skin for any new or changing lumps, bumps or moles which could be from a tick bite. Areas to check include the neck, armpits, groin, behind the knees, scalp and waistband.
Use a mirror to see your back
Use a hand held or full length mirror to check areas on your back where ticks may be hiding. Have someone else inspect these hard to see areas as well.
Take a shower
Take a shower and feel your skin closely as you wash. The water and soap may help uncover any unseen bites. Ticks usually take 24-48 hours to firmly attach, so you have some time to locate new bites.
Monitor for symptoms
Keep an eye out for common symptoms of tick bites in the coming weeks like rashes, fever, chills, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. See a doctor if concerning symptoms develop so you can get tests and treatment.
Consider preventive antibiotics
If you have strong reason to suspect you were bitten by a tick but cannot find the bite site, talk to your doctor about taking a single dose antibiotic like doxycycline. This can prevent Lyme disease if given within 72 hours of a bite.
Diseases ticks can transmit
Ticks can transmit a number of troublesome illnesses and infections. Here are some common tick-borne diseases to be aware of:
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is transmitted by deer ticks in the eastern United States. Symptoms include circular rash, fever, chills, headache, fatigue and joint pain. If caught early, antibiotics can treat the disease effectively. Left untreated, Lyme can progress and cause nerve and brain dysfunction.
Anaplasmosis
Anaplasmosis causes fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, cough, confusion and breathing problems. Deer tick bites transmit the Anaplasma bacteria. Antibiotics are used to treat it.
Babesiosis
Babesiosis is caused by a parasite that infects red blood cells. Deer ticks in the Northeast and Midwest spread this disease. Symptoms include high fever, chills, sweating, dark urine, muscle pain, fatigue and headaches. Medications are used to treat the infection and replace red blood cells.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
RMSF comes from the bite of infected dog ticks and causes high fever, headache, rash and muscle pain. If untreated, it can be fatal. Antibiotics are effective if given within the first 5 days of illness.
Colorado Tick Fever
Common in mountainous western states, the symptoms are fever, headaches, muscle pain and lethargy. Most people recover but the disease can be severe in rare cases. No treatment is available other than supportive care.
Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF)
TBRF causes recurring fevers along with chills, muscle and joint pain, and nausea. Different antibiotics are used to treat acute illness and prevent recurrence. TBRF is carried by soft ticks.
Tularemia
The bacteria that causes tularemia can lead to skin ulcers, swollen glands and fever. Deer flies, deer ticks and dog ticks can transmit it. Antibiotics are effective treatment.
Ehrlichiosis
Symptoms are similar to anaplasmosis. Deer ticks spread the bacteria causing ehrlichosis. Doxycycline is the preferred antibiotic treatment.
Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE)
TBE is caused by a virus spread by ticks that bites humans. It causes fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain and possible central nervous system complications. Vaccines are available to prevent TBE disease.
Alpha-gal Allergy
The Lone Star tick can trigger an red meat allergy called alpha-gal syndrome. Reactions can include hives, stomach cramps, diarrhea and anaphylaxis. Avoidance of red meat is required to manage it.
Preventing tick bites
The best way to avoid problems with tick-borne diseases is to prevent tick bites in the first place. Here are some tips:
Avoid tick habitats
When hiking, camping or in wooded areas, stay in the center of trails and avoid high grass and brush. Ticks live in shady, moist areas.
Use insect repellent
Spray exposed skin and clothing with repellents containing 20-30% DEET or picaridin when outdoors. Reapply frequently.
Wear light colors and long sleeves/pants
Light colors make ticks easier to spot. Long sleeves and pants keep ticks from reaching your skin. Tuck pants into socks.
Check for ticks after being outdoors
Carefully check your whole body after potential tick exposure. Finding and removing ticks quickly is important.
Shower and wash clothes after exposure
Shower within 2 hours of being outdoors to wash off any unattached ticks. Toss clothes in the dryer on high heat to kill any lingering ticks.
Use pest control methods in your yard
Treat your property with pesticides or tick tubes to control ticks. Keep lawns trimmed and remove excess brush. Discourage deer.
Protect pets from ticks
Dogs and cats can bring ticks into the home. Ask your vet about tick collars, spot-on treatments and oral medications for pets.
Conclusion
Discovering a tick bite can be disconcerting, especially if the tick evades detection. Carefully check the entire body for ticks or new marks that could indicate a bite. Monitor for developing symptoms of illness in the weeks following suspected exposure. Prompt tick removal reduces the chances of contracting a tick-borne disease. Protect yourself by avoiding tick prone areas, using repellents, checking for ticks after being outdoors, and showering after potential exposure. Speak to your doctor about any concerning or unexplained symptoms that develop after a tick bite. With caution and awareness, you can safely enjoy the outdoors while keeping ticks at bay.