Get tick bite treatment online

Call 911 or seek emergency care immediately for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat. Chest pain, fainting, a seizure, or severe confusion also require emergency care.

Seek prompt in-person care for a high fever, severe headache or neck stiffness, new or worsening muscle weakness, trouble walking or loss of coordination, facial drooping, heart palpitations, a widespread or spotted rash, persistent vomiting, or symptoms that are worsening quickly.

Remove an attached tick as soon as possible using clean, fine-tipped tweezers.

• Grasp the tick close to the skin. Avoid squeezing its body.
• Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick.
• Clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water.
• Record the details. If possible, take a clear photo of the tick (to help with identification) and note when and where the bite occurred.
• Dispose of the tick safely. Seal it in a container or tape, place it in alcohol, or flush it down the toilet.

If small parts of the tick remain in the skin and don't come out easily with tweezers, avoid digging into the skin.

Yes. During your online visit, a licensed healthcare provider can review your exposure and symptoms to determine whether antibiotics are appropriate. A preventative dose of doxycycline may be prescribed after certain higher-risk tick bites, while doxycycline or amoxicillin may be used to treat Lyme disease.

Your provider will select treatment based on factors such as your symptoms, age, allergies, and pregnancy status. If they prescribe medication, they can send the prescription to your preferred pharmacy for filling.

Yes. Different tick species and tick-borne illnesses are more common in different parts of the United States. Lyme disease occurs most often in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest, with some cases along the Pacific Coast. Despite its name, Rocky Mountain spotted fever can occur throughout the United States and is not limited to the Rocky Mountain region.

Tell your provider where the bite occurred and about any recent travel. They will consider the location alongside the tick's appearance, how long it may have been attached, and your symptoms.

Your provider can determine whether Lyme disease testing is appropriate based on when and where the bite occurred, your symptoms, and how much time has passed. Lyme disease blood tests detect antibodies that can take several weeks to develop, so testing too soon may produce a false-negative result.

Depending on your situation, your provider may recommend testing now, testing later, or making treatment decisions based on your symptoms and other clinical findings.