Tick bite: What you can do yourself
Especially in the summer months, there is an increased risk of a tick bite when spending time in the woods and fields. “When to go to the doctor?” and “What to do if you get bitten by a tick?” are the questions most people ask. As far as going to the doctor is concerned – it is not necessarily necessary for every tick bite. The important thing is to remove the tick as soon as possible in the right way, and you can do this yourself.
Removing ticks
To learn how to properly get rid of a tick that has attached itself to your skin, read the article Removing Ticks.
Tick removed: what now?
Once you have removed the tick, you should clean the bite wound with disinfectant or soap and water. In the following days, you should observe the puncture site. The best way to do this is to mark it with a waterproof pen. If redness spreads at the puncture site, you should see your family doctor, as it may be an infection.
You should also pay attention to whether you feel different than usual (e.g., sluggish, like the flu) and whether you have a fever, pain, or weakness in your arms or legs. In these cases, a visit to the doctor is also highly advisable.
Tick bite: treatment by the doctor
If skin changes such as redness or swelling appear around the sting, a bacterial infection may be the reason. If so, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. Antibiotics can prevent bacteria from multiplying or kill them.
Tick bite: What to do if infection is suspected?
If your doctor suspects that the tick has transmitted pathogens such as Borrelia or TBE viruses through its bite, he will initiate appropriate treatment. This will depend above all on the symptoms that occur.
