Tick Removal Info
Tick Removal
When you spot a tick on a person or pet, remove it right away. If the tick has not attached itself to the host, you can simply pick it up and place it in a plastic bag. If the tick is attached, you'll need to remove it carefully, following the steps listed here.
Using tweezers or a tick removal tool, grip the tick, getting as close as you can to its head.
Steadily pull the tick straight up and out. Avoid twisting or squeezing it, which could increase the risk of disease. Do not burn the tick or cover it in substances such as soap or alcohol. It’s best to pull the tick out rather than trying to get it to let go on its own.
Place the tick in a plastic bag. Saving it will allow you to identify its species and, if needed, have it tested for tick-borne pathogens.
Clean the bite with an antiseptic such as isopropyl alcohol.
While some redness at the site is normal, this should subside. Watch for signs of infection. If you develop a rash, tenderness, or pain, see your doctor right away.
Important: Avoid burning the tick or coating it with any substances such as soap, alcohol, petroleum jelly, or acetone. Covering the tick with any substance or applying heat will irritate the tick and place you at greater risk of contracting a tick-borne disease. It may also make it impossible to test the tick for disease.
After you have removed the tick, monitor the area for several weeks. Check for signs of infection including rash or swelling. (Keep an eye out for a bullseye-type rash, which may indicate the presence of Lyme disease.)
Laboratory testing is available through the Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania. Testing can reveal the presence of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, Anaplasma, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever even before symptoms appear.
