How to Remove a Tick

Ticks are creepy and disgusting insects that carry and spread a multitude of diseases to both humans and animals, including Lyme disease, tick fever, Q fever, and more. There are hundreds of tick varieties, the most well-known in the U.S. being the deer tick (or bear tick) and the wood tick (or dog tick). In order to reduce or prevent disease, you must properly remove a tick as soon as it is discovered and dispose of it appropriately. Here is how to remove a tick correctly:

Instructions

1. Once you have located the tick, grab a pair of fine-tipped tweezers - not slanted - and firmly grasp the tick's body with them as close to the skin as you can get.

2. Slowly pull upwards, applying little pressure. Hold the tweezers in place for a few minutes without trying to remove the tick; by applying some pressure, the tick will begin to release itself from the host, making it much easier to remove with the legs and head intact.

3. Start to remove the tick from the skin slowly, making sure that all 8 legs are release from the skin and attached to the tick.

4. Do NOT squeeze or crush the tick; if the tick is even slightly engorged, this can cause blood to be released and come into contact with the skin, spreading any disease the tick is carrying. It can also cause the tick's bodily fluids to infect the host with bacteria or disease.

5. If the head or any legs detach while you remove the tick, use the tweezers to immediately remove them entirely. Make sure you get every piece of the legs and head; leaving any part of the tick behind can cause an infection.

6. After you remove the tick, thoroughly wash the area where it was attached with soap and water. Pat dry, and apply antiseptic, like Bactine, to the affected area to help prevent infection.

7. If the tick appears to be engorged even slightly, save the tick by placing it in a small dish or cup and place it in the freezer. If the person it was attached to develops any symptoms in the next few days to weeks, bring the tick with you to the doctor's office. Also keep track of where and what date the tick was found; the doctor will be able to use the information and test the tick to see what diseases it was carrying and treat the host properly.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not try to remove a tick using a cotton ball and soap, cough medicine, or any other substance. This will not cause the tick to release itself and fall off; on the contrary, it will annoy the tick and cause it to burrow deeper, or even regurgitate and spread bacteria or disease.