A tick is crawling on the body but hasn't attached; what should you do? - briefly
Use fine‑point tweezers to grasp the tick near the skin and pull upward with steady pressure; then disinfect the area and watch for rash or fever in the following weeks.
A tick is crawling on the body but hasn't attached; what should you do? - in detail
When a tick is found crawling on skin without having anchored itself, act promptly. Do not wait for attachment; the risk of disease transmission increases once the mouthparts embed.
Removal procedure
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible with fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting, jerking, or squeezing the body, which can force infectious fluids into the bite site.
- After extraction, inspect the mouthparts. If any remain, attempt a second gentle pull; if removal fails, seek medical assistance.
- Disinfect the bite area with an antiseptic (e.g., povidone‑iodine or alcohol) and wash hands thoroughly.
Aftercare
- Place the tick in a sealed container with alcohol or a zip‑lock bag for identification if symptoms develop.
- Monitor the bite site for redness, swelling, or a rash over the next 30 days.
- Record the date of removal; if fever, headache, fatigue, or a bullseye rash appear, contact a healthcare professional promptly for evaluation and possible prophylactic treatment.
Prevention and vigilance
- Wear long sleeves and trousers in tick‑infested habitats; tuck clothing into socks.
- Apply EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or permethrin to skin and clothing.
- Conduct thorough body checks after outdoor activities, focusing on scalp, armpits, groin, and behind knees.
- Treat pets with veterinarian‑approved tick control products to reduce environmental exposure.
These actions minimize the chance of disease transmission and ensure proper management if a tick is encountered before it secures a bite.