From the Guidelines
If a tick's head remains embedded in your skin after removal, it's generally best to leave it alone as your body will naturally expel it over time. Clean the area thoroughly with soap and water or rubbing alcohol, and apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin or Polysporin to prevent infection. Monitor the site for signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, or pus formation. If these symptoms develop, seek medical attention promptly as you may need oral antibiotics like doxycycline or amoxicillin 1. Also watch for symptoms of tick-borne illnesses in the weeks following the bite, including fever, rash, fatigue, muscle aches, or joint pain.
Key Considerations
- Attempting to dig out the embedded head can cause more tissue damage and increase infection risk, as your skin naturally has defense mechanisms to deal with small foreign bodies.
- The tick's mouthparts are made of chitin, which your body will typically break down or push out through normal healing processes within a few days.
- If you are in a high-risk area for Lyme disease, you may want to consult with a healthcare professional within 72 hours of the tick bite to discuss prophylactic antibiotic therapy 1.
Prevention of Infection
- Clean the area thoroughly with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin or Polysporin to prevent infection.
- Monitor the site for signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, or pus formation.
Next Steps
- If symptoms of infection or tick-borne illnesses develop, seek medical attention promptly.
- Consult with a healthcare professional if you are in a high-risk area for Lyme disease or if you have concerns about the tick bite.
From the Research
Considerations for Head Attachment for Tick Bites
If unable to remove the head of a tick after a bite, several considerations should be taken into account:
- The risk of transmitting diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever is still present even if the head remains attached 2.
- The use of antibiotic prophylaxis, such as a single dose of doxycycline, may be effective in preventing the development of Lyme borreliosis after a tick bite, including in cases where the head is not fully removed 3, 4.
- It is essential to monitor for signs of infection, such as fever and rash, and seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen 2.
Prevention and Treatment
Some key points to consider for prevention and treatment:
- Accurate identification of the tick vector can help establish a diagnosis and guide preventive measures to reduce the burden of disease 2.
- A single dose of doxycycline after a tick bite can prevent the development of Lyme borreliosis, with a relative risk reduction of 67% 3.
- The use of antibiotic prophylaxis, particularly single-dose doxycycline, may be an effective strategy for preventing Lyme disease after a tick bite, with a pooled risk ratio of 0.38 4.