Ambulance 912HAP 9252
Back to all symptoms and conditions
General health information

Tick bite

Remove a tick as soon as possible with fine-pointed tweezers close to the skin. Not every tick bite causes illness, and risk depends greatly on the country, tick species and travel; record the place and date and have fever, an expanding ring, a black scab or neurological symptoms assessed.

In this article
Choose which sections to read

Remove a tick as soon as possible with fine-pointed tweezers close to the skin. Not every tick bite causes illness, and risk depends greatly on the country, tick species and travel; record the place and date and have fever, an expanding ring, a black scab or neurological symptoms assessed.

  • An attached dark dot or small tick, sometimes with local redness and itching.
  • A small red bump immediately after the bite is often a local skin reaction.
  • Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine tweezers and pull steadily upwards.
  • Do not use oil, alcohol, nail varnish, heat or twisting tricks before removal.
  • Make an appointment for an expanding red ring, fever, rash, black scab or feeling ill after a tick bite.
  • For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.

Your response

Two anonymous questions

Did you find what you were looking for?

Do you now have a clearer idea of your next step?

Share article

Email

Do you need a healthcare provider after reading?

Search by type of care, organisation, name or district.

Further reading

Browse A–Z
L
Lyme diseaseLyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by an infected tick, usually after time in an area where Lyme occurs. An expanding red or bluish-red skin patch is often diagnosed clinically; early blood tests may be negative, and heart, nerve or joint symptoms require targeted treatment.
L
Low blood pressureLow blood pressure is not always an illness. Some people naturally have lower blood pressure without symptoms. It becomes a problem when the brain or other organs receive too little blood. Causes range from a drop on standing and dehydration to bleeding, sepsis, heart problems or medicines. Associated falls, fainting, fever, blood loss or breathlessness determine urgency.
H
Hair lossHair loss is common and has many possible causes. Inherited hair loss is the most common, but stress, illness, childbirth, deficiencies, thyroid problems, autoimmune disease, pulling on the hair and scalp inflammation may also contribute. Not every form is harmless: rapid or scarring hair loss, bald patches with redness or scaling, and hair loss with other physical symptoms need timely assessment. Do not expect miracles from supplements or oils.