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 promptly and correctly.  Many myths exist about tick removal, and some of these approaches may put your health at risk.  Remove the tick as soon as possible to reduce the chance of your getting any disease the tick may be carrying.  Do not stress or squeeze the tick, as this can cause the tick to push bacteria from its stomach into your skin, increasing your risk of infection.  DO NOT WAIT for the tick to detach on its own.  Remove immediately.

PROPER STEPS FOR TICK REMOVAL ARE AS FOLLOWS:

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.  Grab the head of the tick and avoid squeezing the body of the tick if possible.
STEP 2:  Slowly and steadily pull straight up with steady, even pressure.  DO NOT twist or jerk the tick.
STEP 3:  After removing the tick, thoroughly disinfect the bite area, the tweezers and your hands.  Use either rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub or germicidal soap and water.
STEP 4:  Dispose of the detached tick by placing it in a sealed bag with a moist cotton ball (if sending for testing) or sealing it tightly in tape.  NEVER crush a tick with your fingers or attempt to 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.  Learn if your tick is risky or infected through one of these resources:

 

 


IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER!

 

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

➔  DO NOT use heat to make the tick detach from the skin.

➔  DO NOT burn the tick out with a match.

➔  DO NOT squeeze or squish the tick.

➔  DO NOT twist or jerk the tick.

 

HOW TO REMOVE A TICK: WATCH!

Video courtesy of Prevention Partner Tick Encounter Resource Center.

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

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.

DARE 2B TICK AWARE!

WHAT’S NEXT?  SEND YOUR TICK FOR TESTING!

Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania offers FREE tick testing in Pennsylvania.

CLICK HERE for more information about the Advanced and Comprehensive Diagnostic Panels.

WATCH OUT FOR EARLY SYMPTOMS

Visit the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) for more information about Lyme Basics and Symptoms.

Common symptoms of early Lyme disease include:

  • Rash:  A classic indicator of Lyme disease is the presence of a rash — erythema migrans (EM) — which is often called a bull’s-eye rash.  However, most erythema migrans do not have a bull’s-eye appearance, and many patients do not recall any rash at all.  Most rashes are solid pink to red.  It is important to consider Lyme as a diagnosis if other factors warrant it, even if a rash does not appear or is not recalled.
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle and joint pain

The non-rash symptoms are often described as a “summertime flu.”  Some people may notice areas of numbness or tingling.

ORDER 5 FREE TICK WARNING SIGNS FOR YOUR PARK OR ORGANIZATION!

CLICK HERE to order your 5 FREE tick warning signs!

Signs funded in part by Get Outdoors PA and The Huston Foundation.

PARTNERING UP TO RAISE AWARENESS!

PA Lyme Resource Network’s Dare 2B Tick Aware™ program, in partnership with Get Outdoors PA, is bringing TICK WARNING SIGNS to our communities.  We’re working hard to get these signs prominently posted in parks and athletic fields across Pennsylvania.

Grants have allowed us to offer an initial 5 FREE signs to PA organizations.

We want to empower you to better protect yourself and stay safer while enjoying the outdoors!

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