A tick bite can cause more than Lyme disease: Reactions to watch for

If you find a tick on your skin, it's natural for your mind to jump to Lyme disease. But that's not the only thing to be aware of after a tick bite.

Most tick bites cause nothing more than mild irritation and heal on their own. Sometimes, though, they can lead to an allergic reaction, a rare condition, or a tickborne illness that doesn't appear until days or even weeks later.

Knowing what's normal after a tick bite – and what isn't – can help you decide when it's OK to keep an eye on things and when it's time to see a healthcare provider.

Remove the tick as soon as possible

If you find a tick attached to your skin, don't wait to have someone else remove it. The sooner it comes off, the better.

Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure until it releases. Once it's removed, wash the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

Skip the home remedies. Putting petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat on a tick doesn't help it let go. In fact, these methods may make things worse by delaying removal.

Afterward, check the rest of your body carefully. Ticks are small and can hide in places that are easy to miss, like behind the knees, around the waist, under the arms, in the scalp, and around the ears.

Know what a normal tick bite looks like

It's common to have a small area of redness, mild swelling, or itching where the tick was attached. That's simply your body's reaction to the bite and, by itself, isn't usually a cause for concern.

The bite should gradually improve over the next few days.

What matters most is whether you develop new reactions after the bite – that's often a more important clue than the bite itself.

Tick bite symptoms to watch for

Some tickborne illnesses don't cause reactions right away. Instead, they may appear several days or even weeks after a bite.

Pay attention to how you feel, especially if you've recently spent time hiking, camping, gardening, or doing other outdoor activities where ticks are common.

Contact a healthcare provider if you develop:

• Fever or chills
• A new or spreading rash
• Headache
• Muscle or joint aches
• Unusual fatigue
• Flu-like symptoms that don't have another clear cause

Many different tickborne illnesses share these warning signs, so it's important to let your provider know when the bite happened and where you were when you may have been exposed. Keep in mind, symptoms don't always appear right away. They can develop days or even weeks after a tick bite, so it's worth paying attention even after the bite itself has healed.

Other health conditions linked to tick bites

In addition to spreading infections, some ticks can trigger allergic reactions or, in rare cases, other medical conditions. Although they're uncommon, these conditions are worth knowing about because they often surprise people who assume every tick-related illness is an infection.

One example is alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy that has been linked to bites from lone star ticks. Instead of causing an infection, the bite can trigger an immune response that makes some people allergic to red meat and other products made from mammals.

Unlike many food allergies, health concerns don't always appear right away and may develop hours after eating. Although alpha-gal syndrome is uncommon, it's one reason healthcare providers may ask about recent tick bites if you develop a new food allergy without an obvious cause.

Another rare condition is tick paralysis. Rather than being caused by bacteria or a virus, it's believed to result from a toxin in a tick's saliva. Symptoms often begin with weakness that starts in the legs and gradually spreads to other parts of the body if the tick remains attached.

Once the tick is removed, you’ll start to feel better. Although tick paralysis is uncommon, it's considered a medical emergency and should be evaluated right away.

When to see a doctor after a tick bite

Most tick bites can be managed at home, but don't ignore warning signs that develop after the bite.

Seek emergency care right away if you develop severe weakness, trouble walking, difficulty breathing, or signs of a serious allergic reaction.

For less urgent health concerns, schedule an appointment if you develop a fever, rash, flu-like illness, or new reactions in the days or weeks afterward. Your provider can determine whether your symptoms may be related to a tickborne illness or another condition and recommend the right treatment if needed.

If you do need to see a healthcare provider, it can be helpful to save the tick, if possible. Place it in a sealed container or bag and bring it with you to your appointment. Your provider may be able to identify the type of tick, which can provide helpful information about your possible exposure.

There's no need to have the tick tested on your own, though.

Commercial tick testing generally isn't recommended because the results can't tell you whether you were infected or whether you need treatment. A positive test doesn't mean you became sick, and a negative test doesn't guarantee you're in the clear. Your symptoms and medical evaluation are much more useful in determining the next steps.

Take simple steps to prevent your next tick bite

The best way to avoid tick-related illnesses is to prevent bites in the first place.

Before heading outdoors, use an EPA-registered insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants when practical. If you'll be spending time in wooded or grassy areas, stay in the center of trails and avoid brushing against tall grass or shrubs.

When you come back inside, do a quick tick check on yourself, your children, and your pets. Showering soon after being outdoors can also help wash away ticks that haven't attached yet.

Most importantly, don't panic if you find one. Removing it promptly and knowing what reactions to watch for can go a long way toward reducing your risk of serious illness.

Find tick bite care at Intermountain Health

Most tick bites heal without causing serious problems. But if you develop a rash, fever, flu-like symptoms, unusual weakness, or another concerning reaction after a tick bite, don't wait to seek medical advice.

Intermountain Health offers care through primary care clinics, urgent care locations, and virtual visits, so you can get answers when you need them. Our providers can evaluate your health concerns, recommend any testing or treatment that's appropriate, and help you feel confident about your next steps.