How Can I Prevent Lyme Disease?
- Avoid tick-infested areas, particularly in May, June, and July.
- Wear shoes, long pants tucked into socks or pant legs, and long sleeves when outside in areas where there are deer ticks.
- Use insect repellent with 20%-30% DEET around your ankles, other areas of bare skin, and clothes.
- Check for ticks, especially around the armpits, groin, scalp, belt line, neck and head after being in areas where there may be ticks.
- Remove deer ticks on your skin as soon as you see them.
How to Remove a Deer Tick Safely
To remove a tick safely:
- With tweezers, grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible. Pull gently and steadily.
- Be patient. Ticks can "cement" to your skin.
- Save the tick for identification, if possible. Wash the bite with soap and water.
- Don't try to burn a tick with a lit match or use other products (like petroleum jelly) on the tick.
Should I Take Antibiotics?
If you have been bitten by a tick, call your health care provider. Antibiotics may be given to prevent Lyme disease. However, antibiotics are usually only given when the tick has been identified as a deer tick, has been attached for at least 36 hours and you have been in a region where there is a high risk of contracting Lyme disease.