How To Remove a Tick
By Rod Brouhard, About.com Guide
Updated April 05, 2010
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
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Ticks don't just bite, they burrow in head-first. Ticks can cause Lyme disease and need to be removed as soon as they are discovered. If you do not see a tick, treat the bite like any other bug bite.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Less than a minute to remove it, several days to watch
Here's How:
- Stay Safe! Follow universal precautions and wearpersonal protective equipment if you have it.
- Grasp the tick with the tweezers very close to the skin.
- Pull with gentle, constant pressure. Pulling too hard will tear the tick and leave some behind.
- Examine the tick to make sure all of it has been removed. Look for the tick's mouth parts to be intact.
- If any of the tick is missing, seek medical attention immediately.
- Save the tick in an airtight container (do not touch it).
- Watch the victim for several days. If signs of Lyme disease are seen, seek medical help immediately.
Tips:
- DO NOT twist or pull the tick
- DO NOT try to burn the tick
- DO NOT touch the tick with bare skin
- Check frequently for ticks in areas of the body that get moist.
- under arms
- groin
- buttocks
- waist
- belly button
- neck
- backs of knees
What You Need
- Small-tipped tweezers
- Gloves or tissue
