04/22/2026
🕷️ Tick Season Is Here — What to Do After a Tick Bite
Tick bites are common this time of year, and knowing what to do right away can help prevent Lyme disease.
âś… 1. What to Do Immediately After a Tick Bite
Remove the tick using fine‑tipped tweezers, grabbing as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight up.
Clean the area with soap and water or alcohol.
Note the date of the bite and, if possible, the type of tick.
đź’Š 2. When Antibiotic Prophylaxis May Be Recommended
The CDC and IDSA recommend a single dose of doxycycline only when ALL of the following are true:
The tick is a blacklegged (Ixodes) tick
It was attached for ≥36 hours
It was removed within the last 72 hours
Lyme disease is common in the area
Doxycycline is safe for the patient
Antibiotics can be started within 72 hours of a tick bite/removal. Please call our office during normal business hours or send us a portal message if you would like to discuss the prophylaxis antibiotics. We will not call-in antibiotics after hours when the office is closed.
If these criteria are not met, monitoring for symptoms is just as effective as treatment.
đź‘€ 3. What to Watch for Over the Next 30 Days
Contact your healthcare provider if you notice:
Erythema migrans rash (often looks like a bull’s‑eye, but can be solid red)
Fever, chills
Headache
Fatigue
Muscle or joint aches
Swollen lymph nodes
These may be early signs of Lyme disease.
đźš« What NOT to Do
Do not burn the tick or use petroleum jelly.
Do not take antibiotics “just in case” unless you meet the CDC criteria.
Do not rely on tick testing to decide treatment — it doesn’t predict infection.
đź§ 4. When to Seek Medical Care
Reach out to your healthcare provider if:
You think the tick was attached for a long time
You’re unsure what type of tick it was
You develop any symptoms