Tick bite — what to do now

TickSpot Guide · Updated July 2026

In short: Stay calm, grip the tick as close to the skin as possible with tweezers, a tick card, or a tick remover as soon as you can, and pull it out slowly and straight. Then disinfect the spot and keep an eye on it for a few weeks. The vast majority of tick bites cause no harm — and prompt removal lowers the risk even further.

Step 1: Remove the tick correctly

1. Take fine-tipped tweezers, a tick card, or a tick remover — grip as close to the skin as possible, at the tick's head, not its body.
2. Pull out slowly, straight, and with control. Don't jerk, don't twist it like a screw — a gentle back-and-forth is fine.
3. Don't squeeze, and don't put anything on the tick — no oil, no glue, no nail polish. That stresses the tick and can make it release pathogens.
4. Disinfect the bite site and wash your hands.
5. If black remnants stay in the skin, it's usually just the harmless mouthparts — they're often shed on their own. If in doubt, have them removed by a doctor.

Step 2: Keep watch

Note the date and the spot on the body — a photo helps. Tip: With TickSpot you can freeze and save an image of the spot, giving you a reference for the weeks ahead. In the 4 to 6 weeks after the bite, watch for:

• A spreading ring-shaped rash (erythema migrans) expanding around the bite site — it can also appear elsewhere on the body
• Flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, aching limbs, marked fatigue
• Increasing swelling, pain, or pus at the bite site

Step 3: When to see a doctor?

• If you notice a spreading ring-shaped rash or flu-like symptoms in the weeks after the bite — please don't wait
• If the tick can't be removed completely or the site becomes inflamed
• If the bite happened in a TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) risk area and you're not vaccinated — when in doubt, seek medical advice, including about TBE vaccination

Prevention remains the most effective step: long clothing in tall grass, and after every outing in the green a quick tick check — the sooner a tick is found, the better.

Important: This article provides general information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have symptoms, a spreading ring-shaped rash, or any doubts, please seek medical advice — contact your doctor or your local medical helpline.