What to Do After a Tick Bite
Finding a tick attached to your skin can be alarming. Knowing what to do after a tick bite can help reduce the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections while providing clarity during an often stressful moment.
Not all tick bites lead to illness, but early awareness, proper removal, and thoughtful monitoring are important. The steps below outline general guidance following a tick bite and help you understand when additional evaluation may be appropriate.
In this more in-depth video, I walk through the step-by-step approach from my book Preventing Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases, covering what to do after a tick bite and explaining the reasoning behind each step in greater detail.
👉 What to Do After a Tick Bite (Video)
The full, detailed protocol is described in my book, Preventing Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases.
Not all tick bites lead to illness, but early awareness, proper removal, and thoughtful monitoring are important. The steps below outline general guidance following a tick bite and help you understand when additional evaluation may be appropriate.
In this more in-depth video, I walk through the step-by-step approach from my book Preventing Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases, covering what to do after a tick bite and explaining the reasoning behind each step in greater detail.
👉 What to Do After a Tick Bite (Video)
The full, detailed protocol is described in my book, Preventing Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases.
Remove the Tick Promptly and Properly
If a tick is found attached, it should be removed as soon as possible. I prefer using the method of the O'Tom Tick Twister.
If you do not have a tick twister, use tweezers. Grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid crushing, or applying substances such as petroleum jelly, heat, or chemicals.
After removal, avoid touching the bite area. Cleanse the skin and hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based cleanser. Some individuals choose to apply topical herbal preparations, such as andrographis or deer tick bite formula tincture, to the bite site. It is also helpful to note the date of removal and the location on the body where the tick was attached.
If you do not have a tick twister, use tweezers. Grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid crushing, or applying substances such as petroleum jelly, heat, or chemicals.
After removal, avoid touching the bite area. Cleanse the skin and hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based cleanser. Some individuals choose to apply topical herbal preparations, such as andrographis or deer tick bite formula tincture, to the bite site. It is also helpful to note the date of removal and the location on the body where the tick was attached.
Save the Tick and Tick Testing
I highly recommend saving the tick in a sealed container or ziplock plastic bag, and taking clear photos for identification. Knowing the type of tick and the geographic location of exposure can be helpful when assessing potential risk, though identification alone cannot determine whether infection has occurred.
Send the tick for laboratory testing, such as through services like TickReport, which can identify the tick species and detect certain pathogens the tick may be carrying. Tick testing can provide important information and should be considered alongside symptoms and clinical context.
Send the tick for laboratory testing, such as through services like TickReport, which can identify the tick species and detect certain pathogens the tick may be carrying. Tick testing can provide important information and should be considered alongside symptoms and clinical context.
Monitor for Symptoms Over Time
Symptoms of tick-borne illness may develop days to weeks after a tick bite and can vary widely. It is important to monitor for changes such as fever, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, neurological symptoms, or changes to the skin near the bite site.
A rash does not always occur, and when present, it may not resemble the classic bull’s-eye pattern commonly associated with Lyme disease.
For additional education, including a video walkthrough of the common signs and symptoms of Lyme disease, visit:
👉 Signs and Symptoms of Lyme Disease (Video)
A rash does not always occur, and when present, it may not resemble the classic bull’s-eye pattern commonly associated with Lyme disease.
For additional education, including a video walkthrough of the common signs and symptoms of Lyme disease, visit:
👉 Signs and Symptoms of Lyme Disease (Video)
Understand That Ticks Can Transmit More Than Lyme Disease
Ticks can transmit multiple infections, including Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, and other tick-borne illnesses. Because co-infections are possible, symptoms may be atypical, more severe, or delayed, and a single test may not provide complete answers.
Avoid Assumptions After a Tick Bite
A lack of immediate symptoms does not necessarily mean there is no risk, as symptoms may develop days to weeks after a tick bite. In some cases, blood testing for tick-borne disease may be considered to help inform next steps, alongside symptom patterns, tick testing information, and clinical judgment.
When to Seek Further Guidance
If symptoms develop following a tick bite, it is important to seek guidance from a clinician experienced in tick-borne illness. Early education and thoughtful evaluation can support informed decision-making and appropriate next steps.
Learn More About Lyme & Tick-Borne Diseases
To learn more about Lyme disease, co-infections, and how tick-borne illnesses are evaluated and managed, visit:
👉 Lyme Disease & Tick-Borne Diseases
I also walk through a more detailed, step-by-step approach to what to do after a tick bite in this video, based on the framework outlined in my book Preventing Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases:
👉 What to Do After a Tick Bite (Video)
If you want a deeper, step-by-step framework—including prevention, symptom recognition, and early treatment considerations—this is covered in detail in my Lyme & tick-borne disease online course.
I also recommend reviewing my Tick Bite Prevention Tools & Tick-Borne Disease Support Products page, which lists tools and resources that can help reduce exposure and respond to tick bites.
👉 Lyme Disease & Tick-Borne Diseases
I also walk through a more detailed, step-by-step approach to what to do after a tick bite in this video, based on the framework outlined in my book Preventing Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases:
👉 What to Do After a Tick Bite (Video)
If you want a deeper, step-by-step framework—including prevention, symptom recognition, and early treatment considerations—this is covered in detail in my Lyme & tick-borne disease online course.
I also recommend reviewing my Tick Bite Prevention Tools & Tick-Borne Disease Support Products page, which lists tools and resources that can help reduce exposure and respond to tick bites.
All material provided on this website is provided for informational or educational purposes only,
and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or healthcare professional.
and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or healthcare professional.