Tick Removal Tips
I FOUND A TICK ON ME! WHAT SHOULD I DO?
ELIMINATE THE TICK CORRECTLY!
PROPER STEPS FOR TICK REMOVAL ARE AS FOLLOWS:
-
-
-
-
- Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania: FREE to PA residents. See more info below.
- Tickspotters: Is your tick risky? Send a picture of the tick to Tickspotters to assess your risk before testing. FREE!
-
-
-
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!