Quick answers
Going to the hospital is usually not necessary if a tick was found and removed properly. However, in some cases it may be advisable to seek medical care:
- If the tick was attached for over 36 hours
- If you develop any symptoms like rash, fever, muscle aches in the days following the tick bite
- If you are unable to completely remove the tick
- If the bite area looks infected
Watch for symptoms of Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses and see a doctor promptly if any appear. Otherwise, you likely do not need emergency care for a tick bite unless you have severe symptoms.
When to see a doctor after a tick bite
In most cases, a tick bite does not warrant a trip to the emergency room. Ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme disease, but prompt tick removal can greatly reduce that risk. Seek medical care promptly if:
- The tick was attached for over 36 hours. The longer a tick is attached, the higher the risk of disease transmission. See a doctor within 3 days of tick removal if attached over 36 hours.
- Part of the tick remains in the skin after attempted removal. Leftover tick parts can increase infection risk.
- An expanding rash or bullseye rash develops near the bite area. This could indicate Lyme disease and antibiotics should be started ASAP.
- Flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, muscle aches appear after the bite. Can signal Lyme or other tick-borne illness.
- The bite area looks red, swollen, warm and infected
- You feel severely ill after the bite with concerning symptoms
In the above scenarios, prompt medical assessment and treatment could be crucial. Otherwise, monitor the bite area for several weeks and watch for emerging symptoms.
Signs of Lyme disease
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness that people worry about after a bite. It is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Symptoms typically appear 3 to 30 days after an infected tick bite. Early signs include:
- Bullseye shaped rash near the bite site
- Flu-like symptoms – fatigue, fever, chills, muscle aches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Joint pain or swelling
- Headaches, neck stiffness
- Facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy)
Later symptoms can include severe headaches, neck stiffness, heart palpitations, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, nerve pain, and arthritis in the knees and other large joints.
See a doctor immediately if a bullseye rash or other symptoms appear after a tick bite, as prompt antibiotic treatment is needed to treat Lyme disease.
Other tick-borne illnesses
Other diseases that ticks can transmit include:
- Anaplasmosis – Flu-like fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches
- Babesiosis – Flu-like fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, joint pain
- Ehrlichiosis – Fever, headache, muscle pain, confusion, rash
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever – Fever, rash, muscle pain, vomiting; rash appears 2-5 days after fever
- Colorado Tick Fever – Flu-like symptoms, rash, fever spikes every 48 hours
- Tularemia – Fever, chills, swollen glands, skin ulcers at bite site
- Powassan virus – Fever, vomiting, confusion, loss of coordination, seizures
See a doctor promptly if flu-like or neurological symptoms appear after a tick bite, as many tick-borne diseases are treated with antibiotics, especially when started soon after infection.
Preventing tick bites
You can take steps to avoid being bitten when spending time in areas ticks inhabit:
- Wear light colored clothing to easily spot ticks
- Tuck pants into socks when in tall grass or woods
- Use insect repellent with 20-30% DEET on exposed skin
- Wear clothing treated with 0.5% permethrin insecticide
- Shower after coming inside to wash off ticks
- Check clothing and skin for ticks after being outdoors
- Keep grass mowed short around home to avoid ticks
Promptly finding and removing attached ticks also reduces disease transmission risk.
How to remove a tick
If you find a tick attached to your skin, follow these steps for safe removal:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin surface
- Pull straight up slowly and steadily until the tick releases its bite – do not twist
- Do not squeeze, crush or puncture the tick’s body during removal
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect the bite area and hands afterwards
- Save the tick in a sealed jar in case you get sick later and it needs to be tested
Avoid using petroleum jelly, hot matches, nail polish, or other home remedies to try to make a tick detach. These may aggravate the tick and increase disease transmission risk.
Monitor the bite area closely in the following weeks. If any rash or symptoms develop, promptly contact your healthcare provider.
When to get emergency care
In the rare case of a severe reaction after a tick bite, emergency medical care may be warranted. Seek emergency treatment if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swollen tongue or throat
- Dizziness, rapid heart rate, fainting
- Changes in voice
- Chest pain or tightness
These can signal a severe allergic reaction to tick proteins injected via the bite. Anaphylaxis is rare but requires immediate medical treatment like epinephrine, IV fluids, and other medications.
Emergency care is also advised if seizures, loss of muscle coordination, paralysis, or other concerning neurological symptoms appear soon after tick removal. These could potentially indicate transmission of Powassan virus or other dangerous tick-borne diseases.
Table summarizing key points
| Situation | Go to Emergency Room? |
|---|---|
| Tick was removed promptly and completely | No, unless concerning symptoms appear later |
| Tick was attached over 36 hours | See a doctor promptly, within 3 days |
| You develop rash or flu-like symptoms after tick bite | Yes, seek immediate medical assessment |
| You are unable to remove the tick completely | Yes, have a doctor remove the remaining parts |
| The bite area looks infected | Yes, you may need antibiotics |
| You have a severe reaction like trouble breathing, chest pain, loss of consciousness | Yes, seek emergency medical care immediately |
Key takeaways
- See a doctor promptly if a tick was attached over 36 hours or if you develop a rash or flu-like illness after the bite
- Monitor for emerging symptoms of Lyme disease like rash, joint swelling, facial paralysis
- Remove ticks carefully with tweezers without crushing them to lower disease risk
- Prevent tick bites by using repellent, covering skin, checking for ticks after being outdoors
- Emergency care is rarely needed for tick bites unless a severe reaction occurs or symptoms are concerning
Conclusion
Finding a tick on your body can be concerning. Prompt removal is key, as well as monitoring for any emerging symptoms in the days to weeks after the bite. Seek medical attention if any rash, fever or other illness develops. Otherwise, emergency care is not typically required after tick removal unless you experience signs of a severe reaction or concerning neurological symptoms. With prompt tick removal and awareness, most tick bites do not lead to major illness and will resolve on their own.