We also asked entomologists and dermatologists to share the biggest symptoms of tick bites and tickborne illness, as well as what to do if you suspect you’ve been bitten by a tick. “Tick bites are difficult to detect compared to mosquito bites since the reaction from a bite can vary,” says Ife J. Rodney, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics. After the tick is removed, the best way to treat a tick bite is to clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.