Tick Bite Treatment – What To Do, First Aid, Home Remedies and Care, Natural Repellents

When is the tick season and what to do after a tick bite? How to repel ticks? What is the best tick repellent? We shall give you some useful first aid guidelines as well as tick bite treatment with home remedies which will help you deal with this situation. It is almost impossible to feel the tick crawling and biting the skin. It can remain undetected and feed on the blood for several days. Find out how to repel ticks and protect yourselves and your family from potential health risks.

First Aid: Tick Bite Treatment

What to do after a tick bite? It is best if you go to a hospital and have the tick removed. However, if that is not possible, you can remove the tick by yourself. It is important to remove the tick completely to avoid any infection, tick bite rash or Lime disease.

How to remove a tick? The best way to remove a tick is to use tweezers and make sure that you work as close to the skin as is possible.

• Carefully extract the tick. Do not twist or pull it back aggressively. Work gently.
• Once the tick is removed, wash the bite area and your hands with soap and water.
• Apply local antiseptic to the bite area.
• Put the tick into an airtight container or take a photo so that you can show it to your doctor.
• In case any parts of the tick remain in your skin, go to a hospital to consult with a doctor.

What NOT to use to remove a tick? Petroleum jelly, nail polish, a burning cigarette or hot match should NOT be used to remove a tick.

How Quickly Do You Need to Treat a Tick Bite?

What to put on a tick bite after removal? Many people ask if they should worry after a tick bite. Generally, if you remove the tick immediately, there is nothing to worry about. Usually, a small bump appears on the bite spot. Place ice on the area and treat the bite spot with over-the-counter medicine that will help you relieve itching, pain, redness or swelling. You can also apply an anesthetic locally to relieve pain.

However, whether you removed the insect right away or after a few hours, it is obligatory to observe the bite area for redness, skin irritation or infection. If you notice any of these symptoms or if you develop flu-like and symptoms like fever, chills, headache, etc. you must seek medical help immediately.

How to Protect Yourself from Tick Bites?

There is no absolute protection against ticks. They can live anywhere where there is soil and grass and even if you do not go to outings, picnics or walks in the forest, ticks can live in your own backyard.

When is the tick season? As you know, ticks are active in warm weather and the period April-September is considered is “the tick season”.

How to protect yourself from tick bites? There are some precautions that will help you:

• Wear light-colored clothes without patterns and prints as it’s easier to notice if a tick crawls on you.
• High shoes and clothes with close-fitting cuffs are recommended.
• Tuck your trousers into the shoes.
• Wear a hat or a headscarf that covers your hair.
• Wear a light scarf to protect your neck.
• After returning from a walk or an outing in the nature, make sure to shake your clothes very well. Ticks do not bite the fabric, but they can crawl on it for a long time looking for an open area of skin.
• Thoroughly examine yourself and everyone who was out with you.
• Comb your hair with a fine comb.
• Comb and inspect pets that go outdoors. Ticks can bite pets or move from their fur to humans.

What Is the Best Tick Repellent?

With the approach of warm weather and tick season, it is good to know that there are some natural tick repellents. You can prepare a solution and spray your clothes or apply on your skin before going out for a walk in the forest.

Do you know what smells ticks hate? Ticks hate the smell of vinegar, lavender, cinnamon, lemon, orange, peppermint so you can apply one of these essential oils on your skin or use them to prepare homemade tick repellent. Here are some other natural and effective tick repellents:

How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar Tick Repellent?

Mix 4 tbsp of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of water. Add 20-30 drops of essential oil of your choice (we listed them above). Spray on clothes and exposed skin.

DIY Eucalyptus Oil Spray to Repel Ticks

Add 20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in 5 oz water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Shake and spray your shoes and skin.

Homemade Tick Repellent with Cedar Oil or Neem Oil

Both cedar and neem oil can be used directly on the skin. If you want to prepare cedar oil (neem oil) tick repellent, mix a few drops of essential oil with light carrier oil and rub on exposed skin.