How to Remove a Deer Tick

Remove a tick from your skin as soon as you find it.

Even if you take every precaution to prevent it from happening, you may one day find that you've been bitten by a deer tick. Because ticks are known to spread Lyme disease, you'll want to thoroughly check your clothing and skin for them after spending time outdoors near vegetation. If you do find that a tick has attached itself to your skin, don't panic; removal of deer ticks is a relatively fast and painless process.

Things You'll Need

• Tweezers
• Rubbing alcohol
• Antiseptic

Instructions

1. Use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers to grip the tick by the head, as close as possible to the point where it makes contact with the skin. Pull the tick directly outward from the skin. Do this firmly but without twisting or making sudden movements.

2. Kill the tick once it has been removed by dropping it into a jar of alcohol. Drop it directly from the tweezers; do not touch the tick with your fingers.

3. Clean the bite with an antiseptic to prevent infection. Keep an eye on the bite for at least a week after removing the tick. If you notice a rash or any other unusual symptoms, see your doctor.

References

• Texas A&M University; Control Those Ticks; Mike Merchant
• American Lyme Disease Foundation: Lyme Disease