Tick Removal Tips

I FOUND A TICK ON ME!  WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Eliminate the Tick Correctly!

If you find a tick on yourself, remove it immediately. Do not wait for it to detach on its own. Removing a tick as soon as you find it reduces your chances of getting sick from a disease the tick is carrying. Some diseases can be transmitted faster than others.

STEP 1:  Put on latex gloves to protect any open cuts on your skin. Use pointed tweezers, or other effective tick-removers, to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible.

STEP 2:  Slowly and steadily pull straight up with steady, even pressure. 

STEP 3:  After removing the tick, thoroughly disinfect the bite area, the tweezers, and your hands. Use rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub or germicidal soap and water.

STEP 4: Save the detached tick by placing it in a sealed bag with a moist cotton ball (if sending for testing). NEVER crush a tick with your fingers or flush it down the toilet. NOTE: Tick-testing labs may have specific instructions for storing and mailing in the tick to be tested (see more detailed information below).

STEP 5:  Once removed, consider sending the tick for testing to assess infection risk. Since ticks can carry multiple infections, a tick test can help your doctor determine appropriate treatment.

STEP 6: If you find an attached tick on you, there is exposure risk. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms. Taking antibiotics as a preventative after a tick bite may be beneficial for some people. Understand that not everyone gets a bulls-eye rash. If you do get a bulls-eye rash, in PA, that is diagnostic for Lyme disease. Treating Lyme disease earlier is well known to have better outcomes. Learn more about Lyme Disease and tick-borne disease infections. 

IMPORTANT TIPS WHEN REMOVING A TICK

➔  DO NOT squeeze/squish the tick.

➔  DO NOT twist or jerk the tick.

➔  DO NOT “paint” the tick with petroleum jelly, rubbing alcohol or any essential oil.

➔  DO NOT use heat or burn the tick out with a match.

Doing any of these may cause the tick to throw up its stomach contents, including bacteria and other disease, into your blood stream.

Have questions about proper tick removal? Watch this video.

Video courtesy of Prevention Partner Tick Encounter Resource Center.

Note: New research shows that transmission can occur in less than 24 hours.

Understanding Tick Removal Tools

There are many tick-removal devices on the market. Some have been studied and are effective (pointed tweezers, The ProTick Remedy, TickCard, etc).  New tools are evolving rapidly. 

Make sure that you verify the effectiveness of any tool with the manufacturer before using it to remove both nymphs and adult ticks.

NEXT STEPS: Tick Testing & Consult with Your Doctor

Why test the tick?
Tick testing is more accurate than human testing. Human tests look for antibodies produced to fight infection. Tick testing looks for the presence of the bacteria itself using a PCR test that detects certain DNA sequences of the bacteria or pathogen. Learn more about tick testing.

Why consult with your doctor?
Treating Lyme disease or other tick-borne infections earlier is well know to have better outcomes. After a tick bite, carefully evaluate your situation and discuss treatment risks and benefits with your health care provider. Learn more about early symptoms of tick-borne diseases.