Safe Tick Removal from Scalp: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ticks carry many diseases, including Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Since ticks feed on human blood, it is important to protect yourself from a tick bite. Check yourself and your children after being in grassy or wooded areas. Pay special attention to the scalp, since ticks hide in hair. If a tick is found, remove it right away to reduce the chance of it spreading disease-causing germs.

Things You'll Need

• Hairpins
• Tweezers
• Latex gloves
• Magnifying glass
• Antibiotic cream

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Instructions

• 1

  Move as much hair as possible from the location of the tick. Pin the hair to keep it out of the way.

• 2

  Wear latex gloves to protect your hands.

• 3

  Use a magnifying glass to see the tick.

• 4

  Remove the tick using tweezers held as closely as possible to the skin. Pull upward. Avoid squeezing the tick or it may release fluid.

• 5

  Ensure that the entire tick, including the mouth, has been removed. If pieces remain in the skin, remove them using tweezers.

• 6

  Clean the tick-bite area with warm soapy water and apply an antibiotic ointment. Wash your hands and disinfect the tweezers.

• 7

  Watch the area for infection, redness, swelling or "bulls eye" rash. A "bulls eye" rash has a round, red center outlined with a circle of normal skin and a second outer red circle. If any of these symptoms occur, call your doctor.