Found a tick? Start here.

Remove an attached tick promptly

Use clean, fine-point tweezers. Grip the tick at its head, as close to the skin as you can, then pull straight out with slow, steady traction. Avoid squeezing its body, twisting, or jerking. Clean the bite and your hands afterward. If mouthparts remain and cannot be easily removed, leave them to heal rather than digging into the skin.

Do not burn a tick or cover it with petroleum jelly, nail polish, alcohol, or essential oils to make it detach. These methods delay proper removal. The straight-pull instructions here are for fine-point tweezers; purpose-built tools may have different instructions.

Make a useful bite record

• Record the date, where you were, and the body location of the bite.
• Photograph the tick and the bite. Note when you last checked that area of skin.
• Save the tick in a secure container if your local health authority asks for identification.
• Continue checking the rest of the body, clothes, and gear for other ticks.

A photo-identification service can help identify the species. Identification is not a diagnosis, and a tick test cannot tell you whether you have an infection. Do not delay care while waiting for a result.

When to contact a health professional

Seek prompt medical advice if a rash expands, you develop fever, fatigue, headache, or muscle and joint aches after exposure. A Lyme rash does not always resemble a bull’s-eye, and some people have no rash. Tell the clinician about your outdoor activity and travel, even if you never saw a tick. Trouble breathing, collapse, or severe new neurological symptoms require emergency care.

What to ask after a bite

Contact a clinician or pharmacist promptly to ask whether post-exposure assessment is appropriate in your area. Eligibility for preventive antibiotics depends on the bite and local guidance. Do not take leftover antibiotics or assume every bite needs medication. Bring your notes rather than trying to estimate risk from a photograph alone.

For readers in the United States

The CDC likewise recommends prompt removal with fine-tipped tweezers and steady pressure. If fever or rash develops in the days or weeks afterward, see a healthcare provider. Ask promptly whether Lyme preventive antibiotics are appropriate; they are not routinely needed after every tick bite. Tick testing is not recommended as a way to decide whether you need treatment.

Ask promptly about time-sensitive prevention

For some higher-risk Lyme exposures, a clinician may consider preventive antibiotics within 72 hours after removal. Do not wait for symptoms to ask whether you qualify, and do not self-prescribe. Read the post-bite assessment guide.