Taking care of a tick bite

Most tick bites are painless and cause only minor signs and symptoms, such as redness, swelling or a sore on the skin. But some ticks transmit bacteria that cause illnesses, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Remove the tick

■ Promptly and carefully remove the tick. Use finetipped forceps or tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible. Gently pull out the tick using a slow and steady upward motion. Avoid twisting or squeezing the tick and don’t handle it with bare hands. Experts don’t recommend using petroleum jelly, fingernail polish or a hot match to remove a tick.

■ If possible, seal the tick in a container and put it in a freezer. Your doctor may want to see it if you develop new symptoms.

■ Wash your hands and the bite site. Use warm water and soap, rubbing alcohol or an iodine scrub.

When to seek emergency care

Call 911 if you develop:

■ A severe headache

■ Difficulty breathing

■ Paralysis

■ Heart palpitations

When to see a doctor

■ You aren’t able to completely remove the tick. The longer it remains attached to you, the greater your risk of getting a disease from it.

■ The rash gets bigger. A small red bump may appear at the site. This is normal. If it becomes a larger rash, perhaps with a bull’s-eye pattern, it may indicate Lyme disease.

■ You develop flu-like symptoms.

■ The bite site seems infected. Signs include redness or oozing.

■ You think you were bitten by a deer tick. You may need antibiotics.