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What to do if…
you notice a tick bite and a rash begins expanding over days

Short answer

An expanding rash after a tick bite is a reason to get urgent medical advice today. Contact NHS 111 (or your GP urgently) and say you’ve had a tick bite and the rash has been spreading over days.

Do not do these things

  • Do not “wait and see” once a rash is clearly spreading day by day.
  • Do not try to treat it yourself with leftover antibiotics or internet dosing.
  • Do not burn the tick off, smother it with petroleum jelly, or apply chemicals to “make it back out”.
  • Do not squeeze the tick’s body if it’s still attached.
  • Do not assume it “can’t be Lyme” because the rash isn’t a perfect bullseye.
  • Do not delay seeking care while waiting on tick-testing results or similar.

What to do now

  1. If the tick is still attached, remove it safely (once, calmly).
    Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool, grip as close to the skin as possible, and pull upwards slowly and steadily. Clean the area afterwards with antiseptic or soap and water.
    If you can’t remove it safely (hard-to-reach area, very embedded, or on a distressed child), stop and get same-day help via NHS 111/your GP/urgent treatment centre.
  2. Take 2 quick photos of the rash right now.
    One close-up and one a bit wider. If you can, include a coin or ruler for scale.
  3. Mark the edge of the rash (optional but helpful).
    Lightly draw a line around the outer edge with a pen, and write today’s date/time nearby. This makes “expanding” clearer if you’re anxious or second-guessing yourself later.
  4. Write down a short timeline (30 seconds).
    Note: when you first noticed the bite/tick, when the rash started, and how fast it’s been growing (for example: “larger each day”).
  5. If you still have the tick, keep it simply (optional).
    Put it in a small sealed container or take a clear photo of it. Bring/show it if a clinician asks (don’t delay care to do this).
  6. Get medical help today: NHS 111 or an urgent GP appointment.
    Tell them: “Tick bite + rash expanding over days.” Mention any flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, muscle/joint aches, fatigue) and where you were outdoors in the last few weeks.
  7. Go to emergency care if you feel seriously unwell right now.
    If you have breathing trouble, swelling of lips/face/throat, collapse/fainting, severe headache with a stiff neck, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness, call 999.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide anything today about long-term consequences or “chronic Lyme”.
  • You do not need to keep checking the rash every hour—just note whether it continues to expand over the next day.
  • If a tiny tick fragment seems left behind, don’t dig at your skin right now. Get advice if the bite area becomes increasingly painful, hot, very red, oozing/pus-like, or you develop a fever.
  • You do not need to deep-clean your house or wash everything you wore unless there are still ticks on clothing.

Important reassurance

It’s common to feel alarmed when a rash keeps growing—your brain treats it as an “urgent threat” signal. The key point is that you noticed the pattern early, and early medical assessment and treatment (when needed) is the part you can control.

Scope note

This guide is for first steps only: documenting what’s happening, removing any attached tick safely, and getting the right same-day medical contact. Further decisions (tests, antibiotics, follow-up) depend on a clinician’s assessment.

Important note

This is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have an expanding rash after a tick bite, you should seek prompt medical advice even if you otherwise feel okay.

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