What is the proper procedure for basic first aid of a tick bite?

From the Guidelines

To properly treat a tick bite, first remove the tick completely using fine-tipped tweezers, as recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, American Academy of Neurology, and American College of Rheumatology 1. The removal process should involve grasping the tick as close to your skin's surface as possible and pulling upward with steady, even pressure. It is crucial not to twist or jerk the tick, which can cause mouthparts to break off in your skin. After removal, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water. Dispose of the live tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Some key points to consider after a tick bite include:

• Watching the bite area for several weeks for signs of infection, such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, or rash, particularly a bull's-eye pattern which could indicate Lyme disease.
• Monitoring for fever, headache, fatigue, or muscle aches in the weeks following the bite.
• Seeking medical attention promptly if any of these symptoms develop.
• Taking photos of the bite site daily can help track changes. Removing ticks promptly is important because many tick-borne diseases require the tick to be attached for hours or days before disease transmission occurs, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1. In cases where the tick bite occurs in a highly endemic region and tick attachment is estimated to have been ≥36 hours, antibiotic prophylaxis for Lyme disease may be recommended, with a single dose of oral doxycycline within 72 hours of tick removal being a preferred regimen 1.

From the Research

Basic First Aid for Tick Bites

• The proper procedure for basic first aid of a tick bite involves removing the tick as soon as possible to reduce the risk of disease transmission 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• The recommended method for removing a tick is to use blunt, rounded forceps or tweezers to grasp the mouthparts of the tick as close as possible to the skin, and then pull upward with a continuous and steady action 2, 4, 5, 6.
• Other methods of removing ticks, such as using fingers, lighted cigarettes, petroleum jelly, or suntan oil, should be avoided as they can increase the risk of regurgitation by the tick and transmission of infectious agents 2, 4.
• After removing the tick, the bite area should be cleaned with soap and water, and the individual should be monitored for signs of disease, such as a rash or fever 3, 5.

Preventing Tick Bites

• To prevent tick bites, individuals can wear long trousers tucked into boots, apply topical DEET repellent to exposed skin, and treat clothing with permethrin 2, 3.
• Checking clothing regularly while in tick-infested areas and screening the entire body for ticks after leaving infested areas can also help prevent tick bites 2, 5.

Risk of Disease Transmission

• The risk of disease transmission from a tick bite increases with the duration of attachment, and generally requires greater than 24 to 48 hours of attachment 2, 3, 5.
• The degree of tick engorgement or the time since tick exposure and discovery of the tick may be used to establish the likely duration of attachment and the risk of disease transmission 2, 5.