Tick bites require vigilance, but they're not always dangerous. What health experts want you to know

USA Today

18-03-2025

Tick bites require vigilance, but they're not always dangerous. What health experts want you to know
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Are you risking Lyme disease? Here's how to remove ticks
Are you removing ticks correctly? Here's everything you need to know about ticks and how you can combat Lyme disease.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Getting a tick bite can be understandably scary: They're most often discussed in the context of people developing Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that can either be easily treated if caught right away, or cause serious issues if not.
It's estimated that more than 300,000 new cases of Lyme disease develop in the U.S. every year, most commonly transmitted by tick bites, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Children and pets, both of whom tend to be the most likely to play in yards, woods and areas with tall grass are most likely to get bitten by ticks.
"In general, to spread Lyme disease, a tick needs to be attached for at least 36 hours, but the less time a tick is attached, the smaller the risk of transmission of an infection," Dr. Beth Oller tells USA TODAY. "So it's important to check your skin and the skin of your children once you come in from hiking, playing in the yard or activities outside, especially if you have been around a lot of tall grass and trees."
While it's important to stay on top of things if you do get bitten, the situation doesn't automatically spell medical emergency.
What does a tick bite look like?
Unfortunately, tick bites don't have a unique look. "The only surefire way to know that you have been bitten by a tick is to have seen the tick and removed it," Oller says. Otherwise, they look like pretty typical bug bites.
That said, ticks typically stay on your body longer than any other bug, because their goal is to slowly feed on blood (gross visual, sorry). That does give you a better chance of catching the tick while still on the body, though.
If you do find a tick on yourself or a loved one's body, Oller recommends first taking a photo of it to help identify the tick later, in the event that you seek medical care. To remove it, don't use your bare hands — Johns Hopkins recommends using tweezers, pulling slowly without twisting or squeezing the tick. Once it's been removed, you can also save the tick in a plastic bag or container in case it needs to be tested for disease. And make sure to wash the bitten area with soap and water and apply an antiseptic.
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease? It's a broad range.
When to worry about a tick bite
Finding a tick on your body doesn't necessarily mean you need to run to the doctor, Oller says. "Most (bites) will be itchy for a day or two and can be monitored at home," she adds. If no symptoms arise, you're likely in the clear. Not all ticks carry Lyme disease — depending on what area you live in, it could be as little as 1% or as many as half, according to Harvard Health.
Is Lyme disease curable? Here's what you should know about tick bites and symptoms.
You can always call your healthcare provider for guidance about follow-up care, Johns Hopkins notes. The time to actually visit a medical professional comes if you start to see a rash developing around the bite, especially if it's the kind of bullseye pattern associated with Lyme disease, which usually develops within 3 to 14 days of getting bitten.
"You should also contact your family physician if you have a fever, especially within the first few weeks after a bite, or flu-like symptoms like fatigue, headache, body aches, chills, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea," Oller adds. "Also see a provider if there is any sign of swollen lymph nodes around the area of the bite, or signs of infection around the bite."