What to Do If You Find a Tick on You: Your Step-by-Step Guide

It’s Lyme Awareness Month and in this blog we’re focusing down on the pesky tick. If you're like most people who enjoy the outdoors, you probably have one thing in the back of your mind: ticks. And with good reason! These tiny blood-sucking pests are spreading fast across the U.S, bringing Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses with them.

At Lyme Laser, we’re passionate about prevention and early intervention. So, what should you do right away if you find a tick on your body, whether it’s crawling or already attached? Here’s your go-to guide.

Found a Tick Crawling on You? Don’t Panic — but Don’t Touch It Either

Take a breath. If the tick isn’t attached yet, the risk of disease transmission is very low. Ticks can only pass on harmful bacteria while feeding, which means if it’s still just exploring your skin, you’ve caught it early. That’s great news!

But here’s the catch: Don’t use your bare hands to remove it.

You don’t want to accidentally touch its mouthparts or saliva, which could still carry pathogens. Use tweezers, a tissue, or better yet see our tips below for what to do with the tick once it’s off your body.

And remember, if you found one tick, there could be more. Ticks are sneaky, and they might be hiding in your clothing, hair, or even hitchhiking on your pets. When you come in from the outdoors:

• Shower as soon as possible – It helps wash off any unattached ticks.

• Do a full-body tick check – Focus on areas like your armpits, waist, groin, hairline, behind your knees and ears.

• Use a lint roller – Yes, really! Rolling one over your clothes and skin (especially arms and legs) can catch tiny ticks, especially those poppy seed-sized nymphs.

  
  

What If the Tick Is Attached? Here’s What to Do

Okay, deep breath again. Finding a tick feeding on your skin can be unsettling, but it’s crucial to remove it properly and quickly.

How to Remove a Tick the Right Way

Skip the old-school myths. No nail polish, petroleum jelly, or burning matches. These tricks can actually make things worse by irritating the tick and increasing the chance of infection.

Instead:

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers (or a tick removal tool like the Bug Bite Thing Tick Remover).

2. Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible.

3. Pull upward slowly and steadily don’t twist or yank. You want to avoid leaving the tick’s head in your skin.

4. Disinfect the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or antiseptic.

If a piece of the tick breaks off and stays in your skin, try to remove it. But if you can’t, don’t stress, it will usually come out like a splinter.

Save the Tick for Testing

Place the tick in a sealed plastic bag or container with a slightly damp cotton ball or paper towel. Then either:

• Send it to a lab for testing, or

• Take a clear photo of it and store the sample in the freezer for reference.

  
  

Testing helps identify the type of tick and which diseases it may carry. This info is key for your treatment if you develop symptoms.

Watch for Signs of Illness

• Take a photo of the bite and draw a circle around it to track any changes.

• Don’t rely solely on a “bullseye” rash, many people don’t get one, or it appears elsewhere on the body.

• Keep a symptom journal (or use a Lyme symptom tracker app).

  
  

Didn’t See a Tick, But Feeling Off? Trust Your Body

Here’s something many people don’t realize: you can get Lyme disease without ever seeing a tick. They’re tiny and their bites are painless, so many infections go unnoticed.

Watch out for:

• Summer flu symptoms like chills, fever, headache, muscle aches

• Fatigue, joint pain, or cognitive issues

• Rashes anywhere on your body

  
  

If these symptoms show up, especially after time outdoors, get tested for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Even if the tests come back negative, don’t dismiss your symptoms. Early treatment is essential…reach out to us for advice.

Final Thoughts: Prevention is Key

At Lyme Laser, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating tick-borne illnesses can be. That’s why we always say: prevention is everything. But if a tick bite does happen, quick action can make a huge difference in your outcome.

Want more tools, education, and prevention tips? Visit BeTickAware.org for helpful videos, printable guides, and more.

Stay safe, stay vigilant AND remember: the sooner you act, the better.