What to Do After a Tick Bite

The incubation period from tick bite to rash is usually 3-10 days but can be 30 days.

The Lyme rash can spread through the bloodstream to other areas of the skin.

Sometimes blisters develop in the center of the rash.

Tick bite reactions are often confused with the rash of Lyme disease.

Tick bite reactions:

• Are small red bumps, less than 1-2” in size
• Appear at the site of the bite, often in the groin, belt area, arm pits, or behind the knee
• Do not expand in size when observed over 24-48 hrs
• May feel warm and tender to the touch
• Can last days, even weeks

Requesting and Receiving Care For the Tick Bite

If you have a tick bite, watch for an expanding red rash or lesion at the site of the tick bite or an unexplained feverish, achy, fatiguing illness within 1 to 4 weeks after the tick bite. If you are concerned about symptoms or a rash, take a picture of the rash and contact your physician.

Bitten by a tick and have a rash?

Call our RASH HOTLINE at 410-870-5963 for a rash evaluation appointment.

Diagnosing Lyme Disease:

• Lyme disease is a clinical diagnosis made by a doctor or nurse by examining the patient.
• Acute Lyme disease is not a laboratory diagnosis; a negative Lyme blood test does not exclude Lyme disease in the first few weeks of the illness.
• Many with Lyme disease have a flu-like illness and NO rash.
• Fever, aches, and abrupt and severe fatigue can be the main symptoms of acute Lyme.
• Lyme disease is different from a respiratory “cold”.
• A runny nose and prominent cough are NOT symptoms of Lyme disease.
• Blood tests do not accurately diagnose Lyme disease in the first few weeks of infection, so being vigilant about looking for symptoms is a more reliable way to identify an early case of Lyme disease.

If you have additional questions, please contact your Primary Care Physician or health care provider to discuss.

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The Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center is focused on patient-based research in all manifestations of Lyme disease. Our goal is to translate our pioneering research into improved patient care, education, and health outcomes.

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All information contained within the Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center website is intended for educational purposes only. Physicians and other health care professionals are encouraged to consult other sources and confirm the information contained within this site. Consumers should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something they may have read on this website.