Ticks are common in Baltic forests, meadows and parks from spring to autumn. Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) is the most common tick-borne disease in Europe, and Lithuania and Estonia are among the countries reporting the highest rates. Most tick bites do not make you ill – but knowing the early signs helps you get treatment in time.
How to remove a tick
- Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull it gently and steadily upwards. Try not to squeeze or crush it.
- Disinfect the bite. Note the date and the place on your body.
Remove ticks as soon as you find them. If a small part stays in the skin, it does not increase the risk of Lyme disease. After time outdoors, check skin folds, the groin, armpits, waistband and behind the knees – and on children, the head and neck.
The rash to look for
The typical early sign is erythema migrans: a red rash that spreads out from the bite. It is often ring-shaped, but not always. It appears in about 60–90% of infections, usually within 1–4 weeks of the bite, but can appear up to 3 months later. It may come with fever, headache and tiredness. The rash can look like a bruise on darker skin.
How symptoms can develop
- Days to weeks: spreading rash, sometimes flu-like symptoms.
- Weeks to months, if untreated: the infection can spread to the nervous system (in about 10% of cases), the joints, the skin and, rarely, the heart.
Most cases are treated successfully with a course of antibiotics lasting several weeks. Early treatment lowers the risk of later complications.
Why a blood test is often negative at first
Lyme blood tests look for antibodies – IgM and IgG – that the body makes against the Borrelia bacteria. These antibodies take several weeks to develop, so tests may be falsely negative during the first 4–6 weeks after infection. People who get antibiotics early may never make antibodies at all. Antibodies can also stay for months or years after a cure, so a positive result does not show whether the infection is still active.
A rash alone is enough. No laboratory test is needed to diagnose erythema migrans – a doctor decides based on the rash and a possible tick bite. If you have the rash, see a doctor; do not wait for a test.
Lyme disease IgG/IgM rapid test
Antibody testing is mainly useful later, when a doctor suspects a more advanced infection. The Testera Lyme Disease IgG/IgM Rapid Test detects antibodies against Borrelia in a blood sample. The result is always interpreted together with symptoms and, where needed, laboratory testing.
Lyme Disease IgG/IgM Rapid Test – €7.99 →
The test is marked for professional use: it is intended to be performed by, or under the supervision of, a healthcare professional.
Tick-borne encephalitis is a different disease
Ticks in the Baltics can also carry the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus. TBE affects the brain and nervous system. It often starts with fever, tiredness, headache and muscle aches, and some people later develop meningitis or encephalitis. There is no specific antiviral treatment, but there is a vaccine – vaccination is the most effective protection in risk areas. There is no vaccine for Lyme disease.
See a doctor if
- a red, spreading rash appears around a tick bite
- you get fever, headache, muscle aches or tiredness in the weeks after a bite
- you have nerve pain, numbness or weakness, for example in the face
- you have a severe headache with a stiff neck – seek urgent care
- your joints become swollen and painful, or you notice palpitations
Common questions
Should I get tested right after a tick bite?
No. Antibodies are not there yet, so a test straight after a bite cannot show a new infection. Watch the bite for about a month and see a doctor if a rash or symptoms appear.
Does the TBE vaccine protect against Lyme disease?
No. They are different diseases: Lyme disease is caused by bacteria and treated with antibiotics, TBE is caused by a virus. The vaccine protects only against TBE.
Can Lyme disease be cured?
Yes, in most cases. Antibiotics taken for several weeks work best when started early.
Rapid tests are intended for preliminary screening and do not replace a doctor’s consultation.
Sources: ECDC/WHO – Lyme borreliosis in Europe, CDC – Lyme disease testing, ECDC – tick-borne encephalitis