Safe Tick Removal: Removing Ticks with Attached Heads - A Step-by-Step Guide

Ticks are in the same insect family as the spider but do not fly, leap or get blown on web strands through the air. They have eight legs. Ticks bite their host, whether it is animal or human, and drink small amounts of blood. Removing a tick from a human or animal should be done with care to avoid leaving parts of the tick in the body.

Things You'll Need

• Tweezers, fine point
• Magnifying glass (optional)
• Rubbing alcohol
• Plastic bag (optional)

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Instructions

• 1

  Locate the tick on the body of the animal or human. They can be anywhere on the body, but tend to be on skin exposed to the air, such as ankles, wrists and neck.

• 2

  Place the tips of the tweezers around the tick at the very base of it, as close to the skin as possible.

• 3

  Pinch the tick between the ends of the tweezers and steadily pull the tick straight back. It will be tempting to twist or rock the tick back and forth, but that can make it tear, leaving part of the tick in the body.

• 4

  Swab the tick bite with rubbing alcohol and watch the tick bite victim for fever, rash or symptoms of flu for 24 to 48 hours.