Removing a tick, warning signs, and protection against Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis
Estonia is a high-risk area for tick-borne diseases, and the tick season lasts from spring to autumn. Fortunately, not every tick bite leads to illness – the most important thing is to remove the tick as quickly and correctly as possible and then keep an eye on how you feel.
How to remove a tick correctly
A tick attached to the skin should be removed as soon as possible. This can be done safely at home:
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, using fine-tipped tweezers or a special tick remover.
- Pull slowly and steadily straight up, without twisting or jerking.
- Do not squeeze the tick’s body – this may force infection into the wound.
- After removal, clean the bite site and your hands with a disinfectant or soap and water.
- Note the date of the bite so that any later symptoms are easier to time.
The sooner the tick is removed, the lower the risk of infection: the bacterium that causes Lyme disease is usually passed from the tick to a person only after 24-48 hours.
What NOT to do
- Do not smear the tick with oil, petroleum jelly, alcohol or any other substance – it does not help and may increase the risk of infection.
- Do not try to burn the tick.
- Do not squeeze or crush the tick’s body.
If part of the tick’s mouthparts remains in the skin, there is no need to worry – it usually works its way out by itself, like a splinter. If necessary, consult your family nurse.
After removal: what to watch for
Keep an eye on the bite site and how you feel for about 3-4 weeks. Pay attention to:
- Redness around the bite that spreads over time (a ring-shaped red patch – so-called erythema migrans).
- Fever, tiredness, muscle, joint or headache.
- A general feeling of being unwell or flu-like symptoms.
Such signs usually appear within a few days to two or three weeks after the bite.
Lyme disease (borreliosis)
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection whose typical first sign is a spreading ring-shaped redness at the bite site. Left untreated, it can spread to the joints, nervous system and heart. The good news: Lyme disease is treated successfully with antibiotics, especially when treatment is started early. There is no vaccine against Lyme disease, so the best protection is removing the tick quickly.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral inflammation of the brain and its membranes that can cause permanent damage to the central nervous system and, in severe cases, be life-threatening. Unlike Lyme disease, there is no treatment for TBE – but there is an effective vaccine. It is worth starting vaccination as early as spring: the first dose is followed by a second about a month later and a third dose a year later, after which protection needs to be boosted periodically.
When you should definitely see a doctor
- A spreading redness or ring appears at the bite site.
- You develop fever, tiredness, muscle or headache, or flu-like symptoms.
- The tick cannot be fully removed and the site becomes painful or inflamed.
- The tick was attached for a long time (more than a day) or you do not know for how long.
- You are not vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis and spend a lot of time outdoors.
How to protect yourself from ticks
- Wear light-coloured clothing that covers the body when outdoors, so that ticks are easier to spot.
- Use tick repellents on skin and clothing.
- Check your body after being outdoors, especially the backs of the knees, the groin, armpits and hairline, and the scalp in children.
- Consider vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
Frequently asked questions
Does every tick bite mean illness?
No. Most bites do not cause illness, especially if the tick is removed quickly. It is still important to monitor how you feel over the next couple of weeks.
Do I need to see a doctor immediately after a bite?
Usually not – you can remove the tick yourself and then watch the situation. See a doctor if a spreading redness or feeling unwell develops.
Can a tick be tested in a laboratory?
Some laboratories can test a removed tick for pathogens, but this does not replace monitoring how you feel. If needed, a doctor decides on treatment based on symptoms.
Does the vaccine protect against both diseases?
No. A vaccine exists only against tick-borne encephalitis. There is no vaccine against Lyme disease, but it can be treated with antibiotics.
This article is general health information and does not replace a consultation with a doctor or individual medical advice. Valvekliinik accepts no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of the information in this article or for their possible consequences. If you have a health concern, always consult a healthcare professional; in a life-threatening situation, call 112.
