How to Remove a Tick

There are more than 200 kinds of ticks in the United States, and they are at their most active in spring and summer. It is never pleasant to have a tick on you, and they should be removed as soon as possible using the following method.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Check your naked body from head to toe for ticks ' small black, brown, reddish or tan disklike arachnids (having eight legs), from the size of a pinhead to almost the size of a thumbtack. Pay special attention to the backs of your knees, your groin area and your torso.

2. Ask a friend or family member for help if you find a tick in a hard-to-reach spot.

3. Hold (or have the other person hold) a pair of tweezers in one hand and grasp the tick with the tweezers close to the surface of your skin. Also avoid grabbing the body of the tick with your fingers and trying to pull it out. This method may cause you to leave some parts of the tick under your skin and will also expose your hands to any disease the tick is carrying.

4. Gently but firmly pull the tick straight out, working for several seconds if necessary until it loosens and comes free. Occasionally, parts of the tick's mouth become separated from the rest of the tick; if they do, pull them out separately.

5. Dispose of the tick by throwing it into a fire or by squishing it using a tissue and then flushing it down the toilet. Don't smash it with your foot or your bare hands.

6. Clean the bite site thoroughly with soap and water or Betadine, and thoroughly wash your hands.

Tips & Warnings

• You are not likely to get ticks from your pet, even if you are in close proximity. Ticks jump on you as you walk through or sit on grass or low-growing vegetation.
• Ignore the old wives' tales that advocate using gasoline or nail polish to remove a tick, covering the tick with oil or holding burning matches up to the embedded tick. Although you may have some success with these methods, they are not recommended.
• Using preventive measures should be your first defense against ticks.
• Avoid grabbing the tick's body with your fingers and trying to pull it out. This method may cause you to leave parts of the tick under your skin, and will also expose your hands to any disease the tick is carrying.
• If you have removed a tick and later develop flu-like symptoms, a strange rash, or inexplicable pain in your joints, contact your doctor immediately. You may have Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

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[poetryman69]

on 6/23/2009 so no burn out match heads. I think they used advise that

[bnparty]

on 6/17/2009 Great article, very informative.

[preciousmama13]

on 5/22/2009 i got home from the park today and found a tick that i thought was a scab from a cut. thinking so, i picked it and discovered it was a tick. I'm a city girl and know nothing about this stuff. I drenched my leg in rubbing alcohol and peroxide twice. As well as washing my hands with hot water n soap twice. I'm still totally freaked out!! Is there anything else I should know or do???

[ecm1980]

on 5/1/2009 VERY good advice. I am going to remember all of that.

[kohuether]

on 4/20/2009 For the first time in my life, I saw a tick embedded in someone's skin. Those things are creepy! He ended up picking it off - not the best method I know. Lol. Next time, I'll offer these suggestions!