What do I do if ticks bite you

What do I do if ticks bite you
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Ticks are blood sucking insects and transmitters of microbes, germs and infections. In the event that a tick bites you, you should act as quickly as possible to prevent transmission of diseases. The most common symptoms are: temperature, swelling of the area, itching, headache... If you don't know what to do in the event that a tick bites you, OneHowTo will explain.

Steps to follow:
1

First, if a tick bites you, you should soak a cotton ball with alcohol and clean the area around the tick in order to disinfect it. Apply the alcohol for about five minutes before acting. This will prepare the area for the next step.

2

Extract the tick carefully with tweezers. You must ensure that the tick doesn't break and that the mouth or any other end of the insect doesn't remain in the skin. Don't try and do it with your fingers so as not to get infected. In any case, use tweezers or gloves.

3

Once you have removed the tick, throw it in the toilet and, immediately after, disinfect the affected area. Use another clean cotton ball soaked in alcohol.

4

Once you've managed to remove the tick from your skin, then you should wrap ice in a cloth and put it on your skin, right on the area where the tick has bitten you. With this you will manage to decrease the swelling, itching and pain caused by the sting.

5

If you are bitten by a tick, you should never scratch. That would only lead to increased swelling in the area and possible infection. There are antihistamines to reduce itching on the skin and other painkillers to combat the effects of the bite. At the pharmacy, they can tell you the most appropriate in each case.

6

Ticks that have bitten human skin may infect the human with Lyme disease. Therefore if you have been bitten and present any of the following symptoms, you should visit your doctor:

  • The area of redness expands profressively
  • Formation of rash in a red or orange tone and in the shape of a bull's eye
  • Itchiness and burning sensation

You should go to the doctors 72 hours after the bite the most so you can be prescribed with an antibiotic.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

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