Safe Tick Removal: Step‑by‑Step Guide and Aftercare

Tools

• Fine‑tipped tweezers (preferred)
• Dental floss loop
• Commercial tick‑removal tool

Procedure

1. Clean bite area with alcohol or soap/water.
2. Grasp tick as close to skin as possible; pull straight up with steady pressure. Do not twist or jerk.
3. If mouthparts remain, remove with sterile tweezers if possible; otherwise, they will usually work out naturally.

What NOT to Do

• No petroleum jelly, nail polish, heat, or squeezing the tick’s body—these increase pathogen transmission risk.

Aftercare

1. Place tick in sealed container (for identification if needed).
2. Re‑clean bite site.
3. Monitor for rash (especially bull’s‑eye), fever, or flu‑like symptoms for 30 days.
4. Seek medical care if symptoms develop.