Is A Prophylactic Dose Of Doxycycline Recommended After A Tick Bite?

Posted on Wed, 2 May 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 2 May 2018 Answered on

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : My 20-year-old daughter was bitten by a tick yesterday. She removed it within an hour of her walk in the woods. She didn't save the tick, so I don't know if it's the variety that carries Lyme Disease, but we do live in an area where Lyme is endemic. Is a prophylactic dose of doxycycline recommended, or did she get it off before it could infect her? Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
no...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

transmission usually requires at least 24 hours so immediate removal should result in no risk for transmission. CDC requires attachment for at least 36 hours for prophylactic antibiotic treatment to be recommended.

Best regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar