Medical and Surgical Dermatology
Tick and Other Insect Bites
- A myriad of insects can cause a wide range of skin problems, from isolated itchy “bumps” to widespread disease. Skin manifestations tend to be seasonal and can vary in severity and symptoms.
- In the Northeast, ticks are very common and some have the potential to transmit Lyme disease.
- Ticks that are discovered within 24 hours of attaching to the skin have a very low risk of transmitting the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease.
- Lyme disease presents initially with a target-like red rash surrounding the tick bite and is easily treated with an oral antibiotic.
| Medical treatment: | Procedures: |
| Topical or oral antihistamines | Laboratory testing (Lyme antibodies) |
| Topical steroids | |
| Oral doxycycline |