You Found a Tick — Here's What to Do
Bitten by a Tick?
Stay calm. Most tick bites do not cause illness. Follow these steps right away.
Found a tick? Remove it now. Check for symptoms. Save the tick.
Remove the Tick Safely
Use fine-tipped tweezers. Grip the tick as close to your skin as possible. Pull up slowly and steadily. Do not twist or jerk — this can leave parts of the tick in your skin.
- Do NOT use petroleum jelly or heat
- Do NOT squeeze or crush the tick's body
- Do NOT use your bare fingers
- Do NOT twist or pull quickly
Clean the Bite Area
After removing the tick, wash the bite area and your hands with soap and water, or rubbing alcohol. Then put the tick in a sealed plastic bag or a jar with alcohol.
Why save the tick? Your doctor may want to see what kind of tick bit you. This helps them know if you need testing or medicine.
Step 3 — Monitor
Watch for These Symptoms
Check yourself every day for up to 30 days after a tick bite. See a doctor if you notice any of these.
Skin rash
Especially a bull's-eye shape near the bite, or anywhere on your body. Can appear 3–30 days later.
Fever or chills
A fever that starts within days to weeks of the bite may be a sign of infection.
Headache or muscle aches
Unusual tiredness or body pain that does not go away after rest.
Swollen joints
Especially in the knees. Can happen weeks or months after the bite.
Common Questions
Simple answers to help you know what to do next.
How do I know if the tick's head is still in my skin?
If a small black dot stays in the skin after removal, the mouthpart may still be there. Clean the area and let it heal. Do not try to dig it out. See a doctor if it looks infected.
Do I need to go to the ER right away?
No — unless you feel very sick right now. Most people do not need emergency care after a tick bite. Watch for symptoms over the next few weeks. If a rash or fever starts, call your doctor.
What if I don't know how long the tick was attached?
That is okay. Start watching for symptoms right away. The longer a tick is attached, the higher the risk — but disease is still not guaranteed.
Do ticks in North Carolina carry Lyme disease?
Yes. The blacklegged tick (deer tick) in NC can carry Lyme disease. Other ticks carry different diseases. See our Tick Identification Guide to learn more.
What if my child was bitten?
Follow the same steps — remove carefully, clean the area, and watch for symptoms. See a doctor if your child develops a rash or fever within 30 days.
Ready for the Full Removal Guide?
Step-by-step instructions for safely removing any tick.
