A tick is a parasitic creature that lives in woods, grassy fields and bushes. Ticks easily transfer to people who brush up against an object where the tick is sitting. Different species of ticks range in size from being difficult to see to being as large as a pencil. The tick migrates to a warm, moist area of the body, such as the armpits or groin. At any time, the tick can attach to the host person and begin to feed on blood. After a tick bites, it can transfer diseases such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever to the host person. Correctly removing the tick within the first 24 to 72 hours helps decrease the possibility of getting sick from the bite, according to Kids Health.
Step 1
Examine the entire body to be sure there are no more ticks on the skin.
Step 2
Put on rubber or latex gloves to prevent the tick from transferring to the hand after removal and to protect infecting the opened skin after removing the tick.
Step 3
Grab the body of the tick as close to the skin as possible, near its head and mouth, with a pair of tweezers.
Step 4
Pull the tick straight out of the body slowly and steadily without twisting or pulling to the side. Twisting or abruptly pulling the tick may cause parts of the mouth to break free and remain in the body, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Step 5
Place the tick into a sealed plastic bag and put it in the freezer or place it in a jar of rubbing alcohol. Both methods will preserve the tick for analysis later if an illness develops. Avoid squeezing the tick body to prevent any disease-carrying fluid from escaping.
Step 6
Wash the tick bite area with soap and water, rubbing alcohol or iodine solution to disinfect the wound.
Tips and Warnings
- See a physician to remove a tick that breaks off and leaves parts behind or one that is difficult to reach.
- Watch for signs of a tick-borne illness such as a fever, muscle aches, joint pain, a skin rash and weakness, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These symptoms may occur weeks after the tick bite.
Things You'll Need
- Protective gloves
- Tweezers
- Plastic bag
- Rubbing alcohol
- Soap and water or iodine solution
