Lyme disease, which can cause headache, fever, joint pain and other flu-like symptoms, often is accompanied by an expanding red area that sometimes clears in the center, forming a bull’s-eye pattern. and the tick that you’ve removed is swollen and engorged, discuss with your health care provider whether an antibiotic such as doxycycline should be prescribed to prevent Lyme disease. If you live in an area where Lyme disease is highly prevalent - most commonly the Upper Midwest and Northeast U.S. If you experience any of these and may have been exposed to ticks, see your health care provider right away. Sometimes, a characteristic rash may occur, as well. Early symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, joint pain and gastrointestinal upset, which can occur in various combinations. Place the tick in a plastic bag in case you develop any symptoms that may be caused by a tick-borne infection. Your body will expel the mouth parts over time.Īfter removal, clean the area with an antiseptic, such as rubbing alcohol or soap and water. If mouth parts of the tick remain in the skin, leave the area alone and let the skin heal. To ensure the whole tick is removed, try not to twist it or jerk it. Pull upward with a steady, continuous motion. To remove a tick that is embedded in the skin, grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, using tweezers if available. Remember to check yourself, family members and your pets for ticks after being outdoors. You also can apply permethrin to your clothing. If you think you may come in contact with ticks, protect yourself further by spraying exposed skin with a repellent containing DEET or picaridin. When you go outside, wear long sleeves and pants, as well as sock and shoes. Try to avoid areas where ticks are found, such as tall grasses, shrubs and leaf litter. There are steps you can take to prevent ticks from getting to your skin in the first place. Antibiotic treatment usually succeeds in getting rid of the infection, especially when started early. For this reason, it’s important to be aware of the presence of tick habitats, guard against tick bites and know what to do if you get bitten. These illnesses are often mild, but if left untreated can have long-lasting effects. That bite can result in various illnesses, including Lyme disease. Ticks can transfer disease-causing organisms (germs) in one bite. But removing the tick correctly is also critical. But there is so much conflicting information online about how to remove a tick properly and what to do after.ĪNSWER: If you find a tick on your skin, remove it as quickly as possible. DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What is the best way to remove a tick? We live near a grassy area and find several every summer, and I worry about Lyme disease.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |