Tick Removal Guide: Safe and Effective Removal Techniques

Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of mammals, reptiles and birds. Ticks are capable of causing serious illness, such as Lyme disease. Most ticks thrive in wooded areas and other locations that contain thick brush where wildlife live. After you spend time outdoors, carefully examine your body for ticks. Disease transmission usually occurs after the tick has attached itself to the skin for longer than 24 hours to 36 hours. Prompt removal of a tick will lessen your risk of contracting an infection.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic or latex gloves
• Fine-tipped tweezers
• Small bowl or jar
• Alcohol
• Soap

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Instructions

• 1

  Put on plastic or latex gloves.

• 2

  Grab the tick as close to your skin as possible using fine-tipped tweezers. Gently pull the tick off with a slow and steady motion.

• 3

  Fill a small bowl or jar with alcohol. Drop the tick in the alcohol solution to kill it. Don't try to kill the tick with your hands because it could release dangerous bacteria.

• 4

  Wash the tick bite thoroughly with soap and water.