Most tick bites are harmless, and most ticks in the UK do not carry Lyme disease. The thing to watch for is a spreading red rash around the bite in the days or weeks afterwards, sometimes with flu-like symptoms, because that usually needs antibiotics. Ticks are common in parks, woodland and heathland, including in and around London, especially from spring to autumn. A GP telephone consultation with The Online GP is £59.
Reviewed by the medical team at The Wellness. Last updated 14 November 2026.
Key points
Remove a tick promptly with fine tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool.
Antibiotics are not usually needed for a bite with no symptoms.
A spreading red rash after a bite usually means Lyme disease and needs treatment.
Blood tests are often negative early on, so the rash itself is the diagnosis.
A GP telephone consultation is £59, and a video consultation is £150.
How do I remove a tick?
Use fine tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool. Grip the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upwards slowly and steadily, without twisting or squeezing its body. Clean the area afterwards and wash your hands. Do not burn the tick or cover it with oils or creams, as these can make it more likely to release its contents into the skin. Make a note of the date.
Do I need antibiotics after a tick bite?
Not usually. NICE advises that people bitten by a tick who have no symptoms do not need antibiotics. A small red bump at the site for a day or two is normal and is not Lyme disease. Keep an eye on the area for the next few weeks.
What does the Lyme disease rash look like?
The typical rash, called erythema migrans, is a red or darker patch that spreads outwards from the bite over several days, often reaching more than 5cm across. It can have a clearer centre, like a bullseye, but often does not. It is usually not itchy or painful. It can be harder to see on brown or black skin, where it may look like a bruise. It usually appears within a month of the bite, but can appear later.
If you have this rash after a tick bite, you need antibiotics, and you do not need a blood test first.
What other symptoms can Lyme disease cause?
Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, tiredness, headache and aching muscles or joints
Weakness of one side of the face
Joint pain and swelling
Numbness, tingling or pain in the limbs
These can appear weeks or months after a bite, sometimes without a rash. If you develop them and may have been bitten, tell a doctor.
How is it treated?
Lyme disease is usually treated with a course of antibiotics, most often doxycycline, chosen by your doctor according to your symptoms and your health. Most people recover fully when treated early. Our doctors can assess the rash over video, issue a prescription to a pharmacy near you, and arrange blood tests where they are needed.
What does it cost?
A GP telephone consultation is £59, a video consultation is £150, and a same day urgent appointment is £220.
How do I arrange an appointment?
Send us a message on WhatsApp with a few words about what you would like help with, and we will offer you the earliest time with one of our doctors. Appointments run from 7am to 9pm every day by video, and in person at our clinics in Marylebone and Belgravia. You do not need a referral, and you do not need to be registered with an NHS GP.
After your appointment you receive a written summary of what was discussed. Our team then arranges any tests, prescriptions or referrals your doctor recommends, and keeps you updated at each step, so nothing is left for you to chase.
Frequently asked questions
Do all ticks carry Lyme disease?
No. Only a small proportion of ticks in the UK carry it.
Should I test the tick?
Testing the tick is not recommended, because the result does not reliably show whether you need treatment.
Do I need a blood test?
Not if you have the typical rash. Blood tests can be negative early on, and the rash is enough to start treatment.
Can I be prescribed antibiotics online?
Yes, where the doctor judges it appropriate after assessing you, often by video so they can see the rash.
How much is a GP appointment?
A telephone consultation is £59, a video consultation is £150 and a same day urgent appointment is £220.
The Online GP is part of The Wellness, a doctor-led private healthcare group with clinics at 10 Portman Square, Marylebone, and 9 Eccleston Street, Belgravia. All doctors are GMC-registered. Prescriptions are issued only after a consultation and clinical assessment, when the doctor judges them appropriate. In an emergency call 999. This article is general information and not a substitute for medical advice about your own health.
Message us on WhatsApp on +44 7961 280835 (ref OGP-tick-bite-lyme-disease-private-gp) and we will arrange your appointment.
Sources
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