How to Remove a Tick
The CDC recommends avoiding remedies such as nail polish, petroleum jelly and heat to get the tick off. The goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible, here’s how –
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick to get as close to the skin’s surface as you can.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the tick’s mouth-parts to break off and stay in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
- After removing the tick, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub or soap and water.
- Dispose of a live tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag / container, wrapping it tightly in tape or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers.
After the tick is removed: Check the bite area for a few weeks. If a rash develops, see your doctor. Be sure to tell the doctor about the tick bite and where you most likely came into contact with a tick.
