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Self Assessment

Have you or a family member recently found a tick on your body?

Are you experiencing any symptoms like a rash, fever, chills, or aches after finding a tick?

Did you successfully remove the entire tick, and did you clean and monitor the bite area?

Your symptoms may indicate a need for immediate medical attention

Immediate medical attention is advised to address potential tick-borne diseases. Consider booking an in-person visit with a healthcare provider through Solv for proper evaluation and care.

Book a visit today

Your symptoms may indicate a need for medical attention

If you are uncertain about tick removal or potential symptoms, it’s wise to consult with a healthcare professional. Schedule a virtual visit through Solv for expert advice and peace of mind.

Book a visit today

Your symptoms may not indicate a need for medical attention

It seems you are at low risk, but staying informed is key to prevention. Sign up for Solv’s email newsletter to receive valuable insights and tips on avoiding tick bites and tick-borne diseases.

Your symptoms might be varied. If you have concerns or the pain is affecting your quality of life, consider booking an appointment

With mixed responses, it’s best to stay on the safe side. Consider scheduling a virtual healthcare visit for personalized advice, or sign up for our newsletter to stay informed on tick prevention and care.

Book a visit today

Self Assessment

Have you or a family member recently found a tick on your body?

Are you experiencing any symptoms like a rash, fever, chills, or aches after finding a tick?

Did you successfully remove the entire tick, and did you clean and monitor the bite area?

Your symptoms may indicate a need for immediate medical attention

Immediate medical attention is advised to address potential tick-borne diseases. Consider booking an in-person visit with a healthcare provider through Solv for proper evaluation and care.

Book a visit today

Your symptoms may indicate a need for medical attention

If you are uncertain about tick removal or potential symptoms, it’s wise to consult with a healthcare professional. Schedule a virtual visit through Solv for expert advice and peace of mind.

Book a visit today

Your symptoms may not indicate a need for medical attention

It seems you are at low risk, but staying informed is key to prevention. Sign up for Solv’s email newsletter to receive valuable insights and tips on avoiding tick bites and tick-borne diseases.

Your symptoms might be varied. If you have concerns or the pain is affecting your quality of life, consider booking an appointment

With mixed responses, it’s best to stay on the safe side. Consider scheduling a virtual healthcare visit for personalized advice, or sign up for our newsletter to stay informed on tick prevention and care.

Book a visit today

How to Remove a Tick

Key Points

  • Ticks, which are parasites, can infect warm-blooded creatures with bacteria, viruses, or protozoans that can cause serious diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. In 2019, there were 50,865 reported cases of diseases caused by tick bites in the U.S.
  • Lyme disease, the most common vector-born disease in the U.S., is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by black-legged ticks or deer ticks. Early signs can include a rash, fever, chills, and fatigue, and if left untreated, it can cause serious complications like joint pain and neurological problems.
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a bacterial infection spread through tick bites, caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii. Early signs include severe headache and high fever, and can progress to a rash within a few days. If not treated quickly, it can lead to serious internal damage, affecting vital organs like the kidneys and heart.
  • Tick prevention includes staying toward the center of trails and out of shrubs and bushes where ticks tend to be, wearing clothing that covers arms and legs, treating clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin, and using insect repellents. After being in tick-populated locations, it's important to check clothing, gear, and pets for ticks, and to do a thorough tick check on oneself.
  • If a tick is found on the body, it should be removed as quickly as possible with tweezers, grasping it by the head or mouth right next to the skin and pulling firmly but slowly. After removal, the site of the bite should be cleaned with alcohol, and a doctor or pediatrician should be contacted. If symptoms such as a rash, pain, blistering, or flu-like symptoms develop after a tick bite, urgent medical care should be sought.

Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, a pet owner, or you live in specific regions of the United States, you may be aware that ticks can be a serious problem. Ticks are often mistaken for insects but they’re actually parasites, which means they’re organisms that live on or inside of a host organism to get their food. “Ticks bite animals and humans and they can infect any warm-blooded creature with bacteria, viruses, or one-celled organisms called protozoans that can cause serious diseases,” explains Rob Rohatsch, MD, Solv’s Chief Medical Officer.

While hundreds of tick species exist, fewer than 60 are known to bite and infect humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 50,865 reported cases of diseases caused by tick bites in the U.S. in 2019. Two of the most well known types of these illnesses are Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

How to Remove a Tick

Key Points

  • Ticks, which are parasites, can infect warm-blooded creatures with bacteria, viruses, or protozoans that can cause serious diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. In 2019, there were 50,865 reported cases of diseases caused by tick bites in the U.S.
  • Lyme disease, the most common vector-born disease in the U.S., is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by black-legged ticks or deer ticks. Early signs can include a rash, fever, chills, and fatigue, and if left untreated, it can cause serious complications like joint pain and neurological problems.
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a bacterial infection spread through tick bites, caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii. Early signs include severe headache and high fever, and can progress to a rash within a few days. If not treated quickly, it can lead to serious internal damage, affecting vital organs like the kidneys and heart.
  • Tick prevention includes staying toward the center of trails and out of shrubs and bushes where ticks tend to be, wearing clothing that covers arms and legs, treating clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin, and using insect repellents. After being in tick-populated locations, it's important to check clothing, gear, and pets for ticks, and to do a thorough tick check on oneself.
  • If a tick is found on the body, it should be removed as quickly as possible with tweezers, grasping it by the head or mouth right next to the skin and pulling firmly but slowly. After removal, the site of the bite should be cleaned with alcohol, and a doctor or pediatrician should be contacted. If symptoms such as a rash, pain, blistering, or flu-like symptoms develop after a tick bite, urgent medical care should be sought.

Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, a pet owner, or you live in specific regions of the United States, you may be aware that ticks can be a serious problem. Ticks are often mistaken for insects but they’re actually parasites, which means they’re organisms that live on or inside of a host organism to get their food. “Ticks bite animals and humans and they can infect any warm-blooded creature with bacteria, viruses, or one-celled organisms called protozoans that can cause serious diseases,” explains Rob Rohatsch, MD, Solv’s Chief Medical Officer.

While hundreds of tick species exist, fewer than 60 are known to bite and infect humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 50,865 reported cases of diseases caused by tick bites in the U.S. in 2019. Two of the most well known types of these illnesses are Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

What kinds of diseases can ticks cause?

Considered the most common vector-born disease (i.e. a disease from the bite of a blood-feeding arthropod like a tick, mosquito, or flea) in the United States, Lyme disease is typically caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. The disease is transmitted by a specific type of tick known as a black-legged tick or deer tick, which are commonly found in grassy or heavily wooded areas. “The early signs of Lyme disease can present as a rash, fever, chills, fatigue, and more in the first month after infection, if left untreated, the disease can progress and cause serious complications like joint pain and neurological problems. The rash can be very specific with a circular shape with central clearing.” Rohatsch says.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is another type of bacterial infection spread through the bite of a tick, but the parasites that cause it are distinct from the one that causes Lyme disease. Rocky mountain wood ticks, American dog ticks, and brown dog ticks are responsible for spreading Rocky Mountain spotted fever by infecting their hosts with a bacteria called Rickettsia rickettsii. Early signs of the disease include severe headache and high fever but can progress to a rash within a few days. “The illness usually responds well to antibiotics, but if it’s not treated quickly, it can lead to serious internal damage, affecting vital organs like the kidneys and heart,” Rohatsch says.

How to avoid getting bitten by a tick

When it comes to tick prevention, one of the most important considerations is location. The majority of Lyme disease cases occur on the east coast of the United States, as well as parts of the south, the Midwest, and even California. Educating yourself on your surroundings — whether you’re at home or on the road — can help you assess your risk for contracting a tick-borne illness so you can take proper precautions.

“Prevention is essential when venturing into areas that are more likely to have ticks,” Rohatsch says. “When going into wooded areas or any locations known to have ticks, be sure to stay toward the center of the trail and out of shrubs and bushes where ticks often tend to be. And always wear clothing that covers your arms and legs — you may even consider tucking your pants into your socks to keep ticks off your skin.”

Another recommended prevention strategy is to treat your clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin before going out into tick-populated locations. You can also use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone to help prevent tick bites, but always be sure to read the directions carefully before applying and do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old.

“As soon as you come home from your outing, immediately check your clothing, gear, and any pets for ticks,” Rohatsch says. “If you do see a tick on any piece of clothing, put that item in the dryer for at least 10 minutes at high heat. If those clothes need to be washed first, make sure you use hot water since cold or tepid temperatures won’t kill the ticks.”

Once your clothing is removed, head straight into the shower, which can help wash off any unattached ticks. This is also the time to do a thorough tick check on yourself and any children who accompanied you outside. The important spots to check for ticks include:

  • In the hair and around the hairline
  • Under the arms
  • In and around the ears
  • Inside the belly button
  • Back of the knees
  • Between the legs in the groin area
  • Around the waist and between the buttocks

“Be thorough in your examination because ticks can be small and their bites don’t always cause immediate symptoms,” Rohatsch says. “Some people may experience a rash or a small, hard lump at the site of the bite, but others may not have symptoms until there’s an infection, so it’s important to find the tick itself as soon as possible and remove it quickly before infection sets in.”

How to remove a tick properly at home for you or your kids

So what do you do if you spot a tick on any part of your body or your child’s body in the course of that thorough check? First of all, stay as calm as possible. “You want to remove the tick as quickly as possible, but don’t panic,” Rohatsch says. “It usually takes about 24-48 hours for the bacteria that causes Lyme diseases to travel from the tick into the host, so removal should happen as soon as possible, but there’s no need to lose your cool. You want to stay calm enough so that you can remove the tick properly and carefully.”

If you spot a tick on your skin or on your child’s skin, grab a pair of tweezers and firmly place them around the head or mouth of the tick, right next to the skin. Once you have a good grasp, pull firmly, but slowly, with straight and steady force until the tick lets go. If part of the tick remains in the skin, monitor the site and see a healthcare provider if it becomes red or further irritated. Drop the tick from the tweezers into a zip-lock bag or jar and immediately wash your hands, as well as the bite location. Clean the site of the bite with alcohol, and call your doctor or pediatrician to let them know what happened in case they want to examine the bite or prescribe a preventive dose of antibiotics.

When to see a doctor or urgent care near you

Removing the tick is the first step in preventing infection and illness, but follow-up care with a medical professional may be necessary. “You should call your medical provider as soon as you’ve removed the tick, but especially if you think the tick had been attached for several hours or even a day before you found it and removed it,” Rohatsch says. “Any sign of rash at the site of the bite or on other areas of your body, or any pain or blistering could also indicate urgent care is needed. And if you start to develop flu-like symptoms after a tick bite, be sure to seek out medical care quickly. Also, if you develop a rash that grows or morphs into a bull's-eye pattern within 3 to 14 days of the bite, this could be a sign of Lyme disease, so get care immediately.” If you would like to schedule a same-day or next-day urgent care visit for you or a family member, Solv can help.

Frequently asked questions

  • What are ticks and why are they a concern?

    Ticks are parasites that live on or inside a host organism to get their food. They bite animals and humans and can infect any warm-blooded creature with bacteria, viruses, or protozoans that can cause serious diseases.
  • How many species of ticks are known to bite and infect humans?

    Fewer than 60 species of ticks are known to bite and infect humans.
  • What are some of the diseases caused by tick bites?

    Two of the most well known diseases caused by tick bites are Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
  • How is Lyme disease transmitted and what are its symptoms?

    Lyme disease is transmitted by a specific type of tick known as a black-legged tick or deer tick. The early signs of Lyme disease can present as a rash, fever, chills, fatigue, and more in the first month after infection. If left untreated, the disease can progress and cause serious complications like joint pain and neurological problems.
  • What is Rocky Mountain spotted fever and what are its symptoms?

    Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a bacterial infection spread through the bite of a tick. Early signs of the disease include severe headache and high fever but can progress to a rash within a few days. If it’s not treated quickly, it can lead to serious internal damage, affecting vital organs like the kidneys and heart.
  • How can one avoid getting bitten by a tick?

    To avoid getting bitten by a tick, it's important to stay towards the center of the trail and out of shrubs and bushes when venturing into wooded areas known to have ticks. Wearing clothing that covers your arms and legs and treating your clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin before going out into tick-populated locations can also help.
  • What steps should be taken after returning from an outing in a tick-populated location?

    After returning from an outing in a tick-populated location, immediately check your clothing, gear, and any pets for ticks. If you find a tick on any piece of clothing, put that item in the dryer for at least 10 minutes at high heat. Once your clothing is removed, head straight into the shower, which can help wash off any unattached ticks.
  • How should a tick be removed if found on the body?

    If a tick is found on the body, grab a pair of tweezers and firmly place them around the head or mouth of the tick, right next to the skin. Once you have a good grasp, pull firmly, but slowly, with straight and steady force until the tick lets go. If part of the tick remains in the skin, monitor the site and see a healthcare provider if it becomes red or further irritated.
Sources

Solv has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

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