Bitten by a Tick? Here's What to Do

Ticks are common in our area, and not every tick bite requires treatment. However, taking the right steps after finding a tick can help your healthcare provider determine your risk for tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme Disease.

Step 1: Remove the Tick Safely

• Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
• Pull upward with steady, even pressure.
• Avoid twisting, crushing, burning, or applying substances such as petroleum jelly to the tick.
• After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

Step 2: Save the Tick or Take a Picture

If possible:

• Place the tick in a sealed plastic bag or small container.
• Alternatively, take clear photos of the tick from multiple angles before discarding it.
• Note the date you found the tick and, if known, how long it may have been attached.

Photos or the actual tick can help your provider identify the species and assess the potential risk of disease transmission.

Step 3: Identify the Tick

We encourage patients to visit:

Tick Bite Guide

This website provides:

• Tick identification tools
• Information on common tick species
• Tick-borne disease education
• Guidance on when medical evaluation may be needed

Step 4: Monitor for Symptoms

Contact our office if you develop:

• Fever or chills
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle or joint aches
• Rash, especially an expanding "bull's-eye" rash
• Facial weakness or other neurologic symptoms

Symptoms can develop days to weeks after a tick bite.

When to Contact Our Office

Please contact us if:

• The tick was attached for an extended period of time (typically 36 hours or more).
• You are unsure how long the tick was attached.
• You develop symptoms after a tick bite.
• You have questions about whether preventive antibiotic treatment may be appropriate.

When contacting us, please upload photos of the tick through the patient portal or bring the tick in a sealed bag if available. This information helps us better assess your individual risk and determine the most appropriate next steps.

Remember: Most tick bites do not result in illness, but prompt identification and monitoring can help ensure that any potential tick-borne infection is recognized and treated early.