The term tick describes numerous species of small arachnids related to mites, and more loosely related to spiders and scorpions. Because of their feeding habits, ticks are a common link, or vector, for infections between different species, including humans. Diseases passed in this manner include Colorado tick fever, Lyme disease, Q fever and canine jaundice. Since ticks are common throughout the U.S., it is important to learn techniques for their proper removal and disposal.
Understanding Tick Bites
Ticks feed on the blood of host creatures, including humans, dogs, cats and deer. You are most likely to encounter them in tall grass or wooded areas, or as a result of contact with your pets. Since they do not jump, fly or drop from trees, ticks must gain direct access to your skin or clothing. While the adults of most species are easily visible to the naked eye, smaller or immature ticks may go undetected unless you make a careful examination.
Tick bites are essentially painless, and you may not notice a tick until it has attached itself to your body. Typically, they seek out warm or protected areas to feed, and you will commonly find them in your armpits, crotch or hairline. They may also attach themselves to other areas of the body.
Methods to Avoid
The first thing to know in tick removal is what not to do. Over the years, numerous folk remedies for tick removal have been developed, but modern research reveals them to be ineffective and/or potentially harmful. Examples of outdated techniques include smothering the tick's body with Vaseline, gasoline, nail polish or any other substance, and use of a lit match or hot nail to get a tick to release its grip.
Proper Tick Removal
To remove a tick properly, use a pair of blunt, angled forceps or tweezers. Expose the area where the tick is attached and latch onto its body or head as close to skin as you can. Using steady pressure, pull the tick directly away from your body without twisting, turning or squeezing it. Avoid piercing the tick's body in any way, since doing so can increase your exposure to infectious material.
While in some cases it may be possible to remove the tick entirely, it will commonly break off at the point where its mouth has embedded in your skin. Since the mouth is more likely to transmit infection, do what you can to push back the skin far enough to remove this residual section. If you cannot get the mouth out, use rubbing alcohol to disinfect the area. Eventually, it will slough off with your dead skin.
To minimize chances of infection, avoid touching the tick's body with your hands. Using your forceps, deposit it directly in an alcohol-filled container. If the tick is already dead, make sure to dispose of it away from the reach of children or other adults.
After Removal
After removal, watch the site of the bite for signs of infection, including a red spot that grows with time. Consult your doctor if these signs appear.
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