How to Pull a Tick Off
Ticks are small, parasitic, grayish-blue bugs that feed on the blood of animals and humans. People and animals pick up ticks from wooded areas and tall grasses. Ticks find a place on skin to burrow, then bite and draw blood until they are full. Tick bites can cause infection, and some ticks can transmit serious diseases, so it is best to remove ticks immediately. Careful removal may decrease your risk of infection.
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Things You'll Need
- Latex or rubber gloves
- Container with tight fitting lid
- Tweezers
- Moistened cotton ball
- Soap
- Water
- Antibiotic ointment
Instructions
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Put on latex or rubber gloves to avoid touching the tick with your bare hands. If the tick is in a place where you cannot see it or reach it easily, ask someone to help you remove it.
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2
Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the mouth as possible. Grasp the tick gently--don't squeeze it.
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Gently lift the tick straight up and away from the skin. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick quickly. Quick movements can cause the tick's head or mouth parts to remain in the skin, which can cause an infection. Try to keep the tick alive.
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4
Place the tick in a container along with a cotton ball moistened with plain water. Cover the container and place it in the refrigerator.
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Wash the infected area with soap and water. Examine the area carefully. If the tick's head or mouth parts are imbedded in the wound, see a doctor immediately. If not, apply an antibiotic ointment.
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Go to the doctor immediately if you develop a headache, fever, pain, fatigue, paralysis or a rash.
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Bring the live tick to a doctor as soon as possible to test it for diseases. Ticks can live in the refrigerated container for up to a week.
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