How can a tick be extracted from under the skin? - briefly
« Use fine‑pointed tweezers to grasp the parasite as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding compression of its body. » « Disinfect the bite area and wash hands thoroughly after removal. »
How can a tick be extracted from under the skin? - in detail
Removing a parasite that has penetrated the dermis requires a steady technique to avoid rupturing its mouthparts and transmitting pathogens. The process begins with gathering appropriate instruments: fine‑pointed tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal device, disposable gloves, antiseptic solution, and a small container with ethanol for specimen preservation if laboratory analysis is needed.
The extraction proceeds as follows:
- Put on gloves, then clean the skin surrounding the organism with antiseptic.
- Grasp the body of the «tick» as close to the skin as possible, securing the attachment point without squeezing the abdomen.
- Apply steady, downward pressure, pulling straight upward with even force; avoid twisting or jerking motions.
- Continue pulling until the entire organism separates from the skin, ensuring that the «mouthparts» are not left embedded.
- Immediately place the removed specimen in the ethanol‑filled container if identification or testing is required.
After removal, cleanse the bite site with antiseptic and cover with a sterile bandage if necessary. Observe the area for signs of redness, swelling, or fever over the next several weeks; such symptoms may indicate infection. Preserve the removed organism for up to 30 days if disease testing is planned, labeling the container with date, location, and host information.
Seek professional medical attention if:
- The «mouthparts» remain visible in the skin after attempted extraction.
- The bite area becomes increasingly painful, inflamed, or shows necrotic changes.
- Systemic symptoms such as fever, headache, or joint pain develop.
Proper removal minimizes tissue trauma and reduces the likelihood of pathogen transmission.