After a Trail Run: Tick Bites, Rashes and Eczema-Prone Skin
After a trail run or hike, a quick skin check belongs beside changing shoes and cooling down. A new rash after a tick bite should not automatically be attributed to eczema, particularly if it expands or comes with fever.
Check and remove promptly
CDC recommends checking skin and clothing for ticks after time outdoors. If you find an attached tick, remove it as soon as possible using clean, fine-tipped tweezers: grasp close to the skin, pull with steady, even pressure, and clean the bite area and your hands. Do not twist or squeeze the tick.
Do not use moisturizer, petroleum jelly, heat or nail polish to make a tick detach. The CDC removal guide recommends mechanical removal instead.
| Situation | Practical next step |
|---|---|
| Before the trail | Use an EPA-registered repellent according to its label and consider protective clothing. |
| After returning | Check skin, clothing and gear; remove an attached tick promptly. |
| Rash or fever in the days or weeks after a bite | Contact a healthcare professional and mention your outdoor exposure. |
| Permethrin-treated gear | Follow the product label; permethrin products for clothing and gear are not for application to skin. |
A Lyme rash is not always a bull's-eye
CDC estimates that an expanding erythema migrans rash occurs in approximately 70% to 80% of people with Lyme disease. It can appear 3–30 days after a bite and does not always have a bull's-eye appearance. Some people have fever, fatigue, aches or other symptoms without a rash. These figures do not mean every tick bite transmits Lyme disease.
If you develop a rash or fever after a bite, seek care and share where and when you were outdoors. Other tickborne illnesses can also occur.
Keep each product's purpose clear
Insect repellent, sunscreen and moisturizer have different jobs. Dr. Arsy #003 is not insect repellent and should not be used to remove a tick.
Dr. Arsy Hydration Recovery Moisturizer #003 is a fragrance-free moisturizer for dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin. Use according to the label and your skin's tolerance. It is not a substitute for medical treatment.
Read our hiking and eczema guide and outdoor sun-safety guide.
Sources and further reading
- CDC: tick removal and follow-up.
- CDC: symptoms and rash of untreated Lyme disease.
- CDC: preventing tickborne illness outdoors.
Educational information from Dr. Arsy, not individual medical advice. Cited organizations and researchers do not endorse this product.