How should a tick be pulled? - briefly
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine‑tipped tweezers, pull upward with «steady, even pressure», and disinfect the bite site.
How should a tick be pulled? - in detail
Removing a tick requires precision to avoid breaking the mouthparts and to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
A pair of fine‑point tweezers, gloves, antiseptic solution, and a clean container for the specimen are sufficient. Avoid using blunt instruments or squeezing the body of the parasite.
The procedure:
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with the tweezers, positioning the tips at the head where the legs attach.
- Apply steady, gentle upward pressure. Do not twist, jerk, or rock the tick; maintain a straight line of pull.
- Continue pulling until the entire organism separates from the skin.
- Inspect the bite site. If any part of the mouth remains embedded, repeat the extraction with fresh tweezers.
- Disinfect the area with antiseptic and wash hands thoroughly.
After removal, place the tick in a sealed container for identification if needed. Observe the bite site for several weeks; note any redness, swelling, or flu‑like symptoms. Seek medical evaluation promptly if such signs appear or if the tick was attached for more than 24 hours.