How to Remove a Tick
In the summer, ticks are everywhere and can carry some dangerous diseases. Here's how to remove any that attach to you or your pet.
Steps
- Find a pair of pointed precision tweezers.
- Find the head of the tick, which is usually buried just beneath the skin.
- Get your tweezers as close to the head of the tick as you possibly can. Do not grasp the tick by the body.
- Without jerking, pull firmly and steadily directly outward.
Tips
- If you're concerned about disease, put the tick in an empty container and bring it to your doctor. If you're not terribly concerned, flush it down the toilet.
Warnings
- Do not twist the tick out or apply petroleum jelly, a hot match, alcohol or any other irritant to the tick in an attempt to get it to back out. These methods can backfire and even increase the chances of the tick transmitting the disease.
- Do not try to pull it off with your hands. You will leave the head piece and it will get infected.