Tick exposure can happen in a garden, neighbourhood, park, or hiking area. Not every tick carries Lyme disease and not every bite leads to illness, but knowing what to do can make the situation less uncertain.
The first steps are practical. The CDC recommends removing an attached tick as soon as possible and watching for symptoms in the days and weeks that follow.
What should you do after a tick bite?
Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure, then clean the bite area and your hands. The CDC advises against using petroleum jelly, heat, nail polish, or similar methods to make the tick detach.
If a rash or fever develops within several days to weeks after removing the tick, contact a healthcare professional and mention the bite. Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia bacteria and standard care is based on clinical evaluation and antibiotics when appropriate.
What if symptoms continue after treatment?
Most people recover fully after recommended antibiotic treatment. Some continue to experience fatigue, body aches, or difficulty thinking. The CDC uses the term post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, or PTLDS, for prolonged symptoms after treatment and says the cause is currently unknown.
These symptoms can have several possible causes. The CDC recommends working with a healthcare provider to evaluate them carefully and develop an individual plan. It also advises that prolonged courses of antibiotics are unlikely to help and can cause serious complications.
Where might HBOT fit?
Some people with prolonged symptoms after Lyme disease explore medically supervised HBOT as one part of a broader recovery plan. HBOT increases oxygen exposure under pressure and is being studied for a range of recovery applications.
HBOT does not replace antibiotics or physician-directed Lyme care. Its use for Lyme-related symptoms is off-label and is not FDA-cleared for this indication. Eligibility, medical history, current care, and individual goals should be reviewed before any protocol is considered.
Exploring your options
You can read how MD Hyperbaric approaches HBOT for people exploring support after Lyme disease or find your nearest center.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What to Do After a Tick Bite. 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Symptoms and Lyme Disease. 2026.
Important information
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal recommendations. Individual results may vary.
What Our Patients Say
Real Patients. Real Results
Post-Surgical Recovery“Getting HBOT helped me a lot with my wound healing. I noticed my scars remarkably lightened. My mood and energy levels improved as well in just three weeks of getting two sessions each week — despite my demanding work schedule, I felt like I had more energy.”Namae
Inflammatory Bowel Disease“I was prescribed HBOT by my specialist to treat a complex and traumatic issue stemming from IBD and reconstructive GI surgeries. I did a full course and absolutely saw improvement right away. The staff are amazing, very professional and caring.”Kathleen
Injury Recovery“I broke my wrist playing tennis and came to MD Hyperbaric Westchester to help speed up my recovery. After a few sessions I have felt a tremendous improvement in energy, sleep — and my doctor says my wrist is healing remarkably well.”John
Cancer Adjunct“I'm a breast cancer survivor, and after radiation near my lungs, I thought this treatment might be useful. I can feel a difference in my breathing and cognition. I definitely recommend it if your body has gone through a traumatic experience.”Aziza
Wellness“I recently began using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at MD Hyperbaric, and it's been one of the most unique and impactful wellness treatments I've explored. I was drawn in by the potential benefits for anxiety, fatigue, and overall cellular repair, but I didn't expect it to feel this restorative — and my skin is glowing too!”Olesia
Still Have Questions?
Questions About HBOT? Let's Chat
Book your free 15-minute discovery call today.
MD Hyperbaric Is Rapidly Expanding
Find Your Nearest HBOT Center
Before Your First Visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a proven treatment that enhances healing by flooding the body with oxygen. Used for over 100 years, it supports brain health, anti-aging, athletic recovery, and medical conditions by boosting oxygen in blood, tissues, and organs. Patients breathe 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, accelerating recovery and promoting cellular repair.
HBOT is FDA-approved for 14 conditions like burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, and non-healing wounds. Emerging research also supports its use for post-surgical recovery, brain injury, fatigue, inflammation, athletic recovery, and anti-aging. Our medical team will assess if HBOT is right for you.
Yes, HBOT is safe when properly supervised. At MD Hyperbaric, treatments are protocol-driven, medically overseen, and administered by certified staff. Our Medical Director and onsite Safety Director ensure every session is carefully monitored, and we continuously update our protocols based on the latest research to prioritize patient safety.
Typically, most treatment sessions are approximately 60 minutes, though some conditions may require up to 90 or 120 minutes. Pressurization and depressurization may add about 20 minutes to the appointment, so you should plan for about 90 minutes for your visit.
The number of sessions depends on the condition being treated. Some patients may benefit from a few sessions, while others may require a more extended treatment plan. A typical protocol will involve 10-40 daily sessions to build up oxygen in the cells. Our Medical Director will recommend a specific treatment plan to address your goals and needs.
Prior to treatment, please try to avoid alcohol or carbonated drinks. It is best to avoid smoking and other tobacco products during your treatment period, as they may interfere with the body's ability to transport oxygen. Otherwise, there are no restrictions for food or activity before or after your treatment. We encourage you to have healthy meals and stay hydrated.
Most patients find HBOT sessions relaxing. You will rest comfortably in a 7.5-foot-long steel chamber, breathing 100% pure oxygen through a mask. During pressurization and depressurization, you may feel pressure changes similar to airplane travel. A trained technician will monitor you throughout the session.
The term "dive" is used because the process simulates the experience of a deep-sea dive in a pressurized environment. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has deep roots in diving as an important therapy for treating divers experiencing decompression sickness.
At MD Hyperbaric, we use the FDA-cleared OxyHealth Fortius420, a spacious hard-shell chamber delivering 100% medical-grade oxygen via mask. It operates up to 3.0 ATA, allows tailored pressures, supports air breaks, and includes three windows for comfort and safety.
At MD Hyperbaric, we use hard-shell chambers that deliver 100% medical-grade oxygen at higher pressures for superior therapeutic benefits. Soft-shell chambers operate at lower pressures without medical-grade oxygen, making them less effective for medical treatment.
Our team will assess your medical history and specific circumstances through an intake process. An initial evaluation with certified staff and the Medical Director will determine your eligibility for HBOT.
No referral is needed. Our Medical Director will review your intake forms and prescribe HBOT if appropriate. If you have a prescription from a provider, we will coordinate with them. For serious health conditions, we may recommend getting clearance from your physician.
Some MD Hyperbaric centers accept insurance for certain on-label conditions — the FDA-recognized indications for which HBOT is an established standard of care. Whether insurance applies depends on your diagnosis, your plan, and the center you visit, so please contact your local center to confirm. Where insurance does not apply, HBOT is a self-pay treatment: most FSA/HSA plans allow reimbursement, and we can provide a superbill and receipt to help you submit a claim.
It depends on how you pay. For insurance-covered treatment at participating centers, your cost depends on your plan's deductible, copay, and coinsurance — the center verifies your benefits and explains expected costs before treatment begins. For self-pay treatment, we offer a variety of pricing options designed to suit different medical and financial needs, including pay-as-you-go and package options at reduced rates when purchased upfront. Please contact us to discuss pricing and options. We accept cash, credit, or check.