A tick was found on clothing, what should you do? - briefly
Use fine‑point tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the fabric as possible and pull upward with steady pressure, then clean the area with alcohol. Dispose of the tick, wash your hands, and monitor for rash or fever; seek medical advice if symptoms appear.
A tick was found on clothing, what should you do? - in detail
Finding a tick on a piece of clothing requires immediate action to prevent it from attaching to skin and to reduce the risk of disease transmission. First, remove the garment from the body and isolate it from other items to avoid cross‑contamination. Place the clothing in a sealed plastic bag for at least 24 hours; the prolonged exposure to low‑temperature environments will kill the parasite.
Next, inspect the fabric closely, especially seams, cuffs, and pockets, where ticks often hide. Use a fine‑toothed comb or tweezers to grasp the tick firmly near the head. Pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding squeezing the body. After removal, submerge the tick in isopropyl alcohol for five minutes, then discard it in a sealed container.
Finally, clean the affected garment. Wash it in hot water (minimum 60 °C/140 °F) with detergent, then tumble‑dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. If the fabric cannot be laundered, expose it to a freezer at –20 °C (–4 °F) for 48 hours before discarding. Monitor your skin for any bite marks and consult a healthcare professional if a rash, fever, or flu‑like symptoms develop.