Tick bite

If you have been bitten by a tick, the bite may have left a small wound. It is important that you contact your general practitioner if you develop symptoms of Lyme disease.

About your visit

We have examined you and have ascertained that you have been bitten by a tick. The tick bite has left a small wound. We have cleaned the site of the bite with soap and water.

When you get home

If you develop symptoms of Lyme disease, contact your general practitioner

A tick can transfer the bacterium Borrellia burgdorferi to humans. It must be treated with antibiotics. Call your general practitioner or dial 1813 to reach the medical helpline outside your general practitioner’s opening hours if you experience the following within six months after the bite:

  • Fever.
  • A circular red skin rash around the site of the tick bite. The rash expands gradually while becoming lighter in the middle.
  • Prolonged headaches.
  • Decreased appetite.
  • Fatigue.
  • Flu-like symptoms.
  • Shooting pains in both arms.
  • Paralysis on one side of your face.
     

Contact your general practitioner if you develop symptoms of meningitis

1% of all ticks are infected with a virus that they transfer to humans when they bite. In rare cases, an infection can develop into meningitis, also called Tick Borne Encephalitis (TBE).

Contact your general practitioner or dial 1813 to reach the medical helpline outside your general practitioner’s opening hours if you:

  • develop symptoms that resemble influenza and which last several days
  • develop a headache
  • develop a fever
  • experience paralysis.

The bite may become infected

Be vigilant of infection in and around the site of the bite. Call your general practitioner or dial 1813 to reach the medical helpline outside your general practitioner’s opening hours if you experience the following:

  • Heat, swelling and redness around the site of the bite.
  • Red stripes on the skin extending from the site of the bite.
  • A thick, yellow discharge from the wound or in it.
  • Bad odour from wound.

Swelling and redness around the site of the bite

It is normal for skin to become red and swollen in a 1 cm area around the bite. This is because the skin is reacting to the saliva of the tick. It does not require treatment and these symptoms will disappear after a few days.

Get vaccinated against TBE

There is no treatment for TBE as it is a virus and antibiotics therefore have no effect. We recommend that you avoid being bitten again and possibly get a vaccination against TBE from your general practitioner.

How to avoid being bitten again

Ticks are widespread in eastern Denmark, especially when there is high water content in the soil. Ticks do not thrive in sandy soil. If you are in an area with many ticks, remember to wear socks, long trousers and long-sleeved tops. Remember to check yourself regularly for ticks.

Remove the tick yourself and clean the bite

If you are bitten by a tick again, you can remove it yourself. Use a pair of tweezers, a tick removal tool (from the pharmacy), or your nails if nothing else is available. Clean the bite area with soap and water. The head of the tick may remain, it will fall off within a few days and is not dangerous.

Worth knowing

Check your medical journal and test results

You can check your medical journal, health data and any test results at www.minsundhedsplatform.dk and www.sundhed.dk. They are both available as apps: MinSP and MinSundhed. Log on to the apps with your MitID.

We will notify your doctor

We will send information about your visit to the hospital to your general practitioner. Let us know if you do not want your general practitioner to receive information from the hospital.

Tell us about your experience

We would very much like to receive your feedback. If you are considering lodging a complaint, please contact the hospital’s impartial patient advisors. Read more here: www.regionh.dk/patientrettigheder (in Danish only).

Your personal data

The Capital Region of Denmark uses the personal data you share with us when you make an enquiry. You can read more about how we use your data and your rights on our website: www.regionh.dk/persondatapolitik (in Danish only).

Learn more

Learn more about tick bites at www.patienthåndbogen.dk (in Danish only). Search under ’flåtbid’ or ’borreliose’.

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