Summer on Long Island means beaches, backyards, golf courses, parks, hiking trails—and ticks. New York State health officials again urged residents in 2026 to take precautions against tick-borne illness as warmer weather returned.
One of the most common questions after a tick encounter is whether a mark on the skin is a routine bite reaction or something more concerning, such as the rash associated with Lyme disease.
Q: What does a normal tick bite look like?
A: A small area of redness or irritation can occur where a tick was attached, just as it can after other insect bites. A minor local reaction may be mildly itchy or tender and usually stays relatively small.
The key is to watch what happens next. A rash that progressively expands over several days deserves medical attention.
Q: Does Lyme disease always cause a bull’s-eye rash?
A: No. The rash associated with early Lyme disease is called erythema migrans. It often expands gradually from the site of the bite. Some rashes develop central clearing and create a target or “bull’s-eye” appearance, but many do not.
An expanding red or discolored patch can be enough to raise concern, particularly when there has been known or possible tick exposure. On darker skin tones, redness may be less obvious, so changes in color, warmth, or expansion can be important clues.
Q: How should I remove an attached tick?
A: Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting, crushing, burning, or coating the tick with petroleum jelly or other substances while it is attached.
After removal, clean the skin and your hands. Note the date and the location on your body. A clear photograph of the tick or bite area can be helpful if symptoms later develop.
Q: What symptoms besides a rash should I watch for?
A: Tick-borne illnesses can cause symptoms beyond the skin. Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, facial weakness, or other new systemic symptoms after tick exposure should prompt medical evaluation.
Not every tick transmits disease, and not every person remembers being bitten. If you develop an unexplained expanding rash or flu-like symptoms during tick season, mention your outdoor exposure when you seek care.
Q: How can I reduce tick exposure?
- Use an appropriate tick repellent when spending time in brushy or wooded areas.
- Walk in the center of trails when possible.
- Wear clothing that makes ticks easier to spot.
- Perform a full tick check after outdoor activity.
- Check children and pets carefully.
- Shower after being outdoors and inspect common hiding areas such as the scalp, behind the knees, groin, waistline, and underarms.
Q: Should I see a dermatologist for a suspicious tick rash?
A: Dermatologists can evaluate many rashes, including bite reactions and erythema migrans-like eruptions, but suspected Lyme disease may require broader medical assessment and treatment. The most important step is to seek prompt care rather than waiting for a textbook bull’s-eye pattern to appear.
Seek urgent medical attention for severe symptoms, facial weakness, neurologic symptoms, significant heart symptoms, difficulty breathing, or a rapidly worsening illness.
For unexplained rashes, bite reactions, and other summer skin concerns, Borealis Dermatology provides medical and urgent dermatology care.
Borealis Dermatology sees patients in Garden City, Syosset, and Bellerose, NY. Book Appointment.
Continue reading about when a rash needs a dermatologist and identifying and avoiding poison ivy.