Tick bites: what to do

In short: Ticks can transmit pathogens like Lyme disease bacteria or TBE viruses while sucking blood, which is why handling a tick bite correctly is important. The faster a tick is removed, the lower the transmission risk for Lyme disease.

In more detail: The risk of Lyme disease transmission increases significantly with the time the tick remains attached to the skin.

Note: Not a substitute for medical advice.

In detail

• Quick removal: The tick should be removed as soon as possible after discovery using tick tweezers or a tick card.
• Proper technique: The tick is grasped as close to the skin as possible and pulled straight out without squeezing or twisting it.
• No home remedies before removal: Putting oil, glue, or nail polish on the tick can trigger it to vomit, increasing infection risk.
• Watch the site: The bite site should be watched over the following weeks for an expanding redness, a typical sign of Lyme disease.
• TBE risk areas: Certain regions have a higher risk of tick-borne encephalitis, for which a vaccination exists.
• Disinfection: After removal, the bite site should be thoroughly disinfected to avoid secondary bacterial infections.
• Medical check-up: With fever, flu-like symptoms, or an expanding redness after a tick bite, a doctor should be consulted promptly (erste-hilfe-grundlagen, impfungen-grundlagen).