When you find a tick on your skin might be a little bit scary, but there’s nothing to worry about. Typically, a tick needs to feed for an average of 36 to 48 hours before they can successfully transmit dangerous bacterias. So, if you can remove that pesky insect out from your skin early, your chances of getting Lyme disease is greatly reduced.
The best and simplest way to remove a tick is by using a tweezer.
- First, stay calm and remove any hair from around the tick.
- Locate the tick’s head and grasp it as close as possible with your fine-tiped tweezers. DO NOT grab its body as the blood can be injected into your skin.
- Pull outward in a straight motion until the pressure pulls out the head of the tick. NO twisting or wiggling, as that may tear the head off, leaving it lodged in the skin.
- After it was removed, clean the affected area and your hands with soap and water. Use rubbing alcohol or iodine scrub as well.
- Flush the tick on the toilet or wrap them with a tissue before throwing them away. Don’t try to squeeze or crush them.
- Consult your doctor if you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing a tick.