With summer hikes, backyard play, and pet adventures in full swing, tick season is officially here—and it’s not just a nuisance. Ticks can transmit serious illnesses like Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. Knowing how to respond to a tick bite can help protect your health and your family’s.
Here’s what experts at the CDC and veterinary health centers say you should—and shouldn’t—do if you, your child, or your pet is bitten.
How to safely remove a tick
Act quickly. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool:
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible
- Pull upward slowly and steadily—no twisting or jerking
- Do not squeeze the tick’s body
- If the tick’s head stays in, leave it. Your body will expel it naturally
- Clean the bite area with soap and water, then apply antiseptic
- Take a photo of the tick for identification if needed by your doctor
What to do after removing a tick
- Dispose of the tick properly: sealed container, alcohol, tape, or flush it
- Do a full body check—especially behind ears, at the waist, and between the legs
- Watch for symptoms over the next few weeks:
- Expanding rash
- Fever or chills
- Severe fatigue or muscle aches
- If a rash develops, take daily photos to monitor its size and shape
When to see a doctor
Call your healthcare provider if you experience:
- A rash (especially a bull’s-eye pattern)
- Flu-like symptoms
- Fever or severe fatigue
Tell your doctor when and where the bite occurred. Lyme disease doesn’t always show up as a classic bull’s-eye rash.
Are antibiotics needed after a tick bite?
Not always. The CDC does not recommend antibiotics for most tick bites.
However, in high-risk Lyme areas, a doctor may prescribe a single dose of doxycycline if the tick was attached for over 24 hours. Always consult your provider.
What if the tick wasn’t attached?
No bite, no risk.
If the tick was crawling but hadn’t latched onto your skin, it cannot transmit disease. Still, check for other ticks on your body, clothes, pets, and gear.
Do lab tick tests help?
No. The CDC warns against relying on lab tick testing:
- A positive result doesn’t mean you were infected
- A negative result may give false reassurance
- Symptoms matter more than test results
Tick safety tips: What to do and what to avoid
DO:
- Wear repellents recommended by the EPA tool
- Check skin, pets, clothing, and gear after outdoor activities
- Ask your vet about Lyme disease vaccines for dogs
DON’T:
- Use petroleum jelly, matches, or nail polish to remove ticks
- Squeeze or crush ticks after removal
- Touch ticks with bare hands
What about pets?
Pets can also get tick-borne illnesses. If you find a tick on your dog or cat:
- Remove it using the same method as for humans
- Consult your vet about tick prevention and vaccination for dogs
- Note: Cats rarely get Lyme disease and do not have a vaccine
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