What to do right away if you’ve been bitten by a tick

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## 🕷️ What to Do Right Away If You’ve Been Bitten by a Tick

Tick bites can be more than just an itchy nuisance—they can sometimes lead to serious health issues like Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses. If you discover a tick attached to your skin, it’s crucial to act quickly and properly to reduce the risk of infection and complications.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on **what to do immediately after a tick bite** to keep yourself safe and healthy.

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### 1. **Remove the Tick Safely and Quickly**

* Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin’s surface as possible.
* Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking, which can cause parts of the tick to break off and remain embedded.
* If parts of the tick do break off, try to remove them with tweezers. If you can’t, leave them alone and let your skin heal.

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### 2. **Clean the Bite Area Thoroughly**

* After removal, clean the bite site and your hands with rubbing alcohol, iodine scrub, or soap and water.
* Avoid scratching the area to prevent infection.

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### 3. **Dispose of the Tick Carefully**

* Submerge the tick in rubbing alcohol, place it in a sealed bag/container, or flush it down the toilet.
* Do **not** crush the tick with your fingers.

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### 4. **Monitor for Symptoms**

* Watch for signs of infection or tick-borne illness over the next few weeks.
* Symptoms may include rash (especially a “bullseye” rash), fever, chills, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes.
* If any symptoms appear, seek medical attention promptly.

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