How to Safely Remove a Tick and When to See a Doctor

If you find a tick attached to your skin, don't panic. Removing a tick is a straightforward process that doesn't require any old wives' tales like burning it with a cigarette or smothering it in petroleum jelly. In fact, those methods can be dangerous and ineffective. The safest way to remove a tick is with a pair of pointy tweezers and a steady hand.

Gather Your Tools

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• Pointy tweezers (not the squared-off kind used for plucking eyebrows)

• Rubbing alcohol (or soap and water if alcohol isn't available)

Ticks can be as tiny as poppy seeds, so using pointy tweezers is crucial to avoid tearing them during removal.

Remove the Tick

Follow these steps to safely remove a tick:

1. Clean the area around the tick bite with rubbing alcohol.

2. Get the tweezers as close to the tick's head as possible, right down to the skin.

3. Pull the tick straight up with slow, steady pressure. Don't jerk or twist.

4. Clean the bite area and your hands again with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

If part of the tick's head breaks off during removal, don't worry. You can try to remove it with the tweezers, but if it's stuck, your skin will heal around it.

Dispose of the Tick

After removing the tick, you have two options:

1. Get it tested: Place the tick in a sealed container with a blade of grass to keep it alive, and take it to your doctor or a state agency for testing. This can help determine if the tick was carrying any diseases.

2. Dispose of it: Drown the tick in rubbing alcohol or soapy water, flush it down the toilet, or wrap it tightly in tape before throwing it out. Avoid crushing it with your fingers, as this can expose you to potential diseases.

When to See a Doctor

Call your doctor if you experience any symptoms of Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses, such as:

• Chills

• Fever

• Headache

• Muscle aches

• Rash

Be sure to tell your doctor about the tick bite, when it occurred, and where you may have acquired the tick. Getting the tick tested can provide valuable information, as tick-borne diseases often have similar symptoms to each other and other illnesses.

By following these simple steps and knowing when to seek medical attention, you can safely deal with a tick bite and reduce your risk of contracting a tick-borne illness.