How should a tick be removed from a person, clockwise or counter‑clockwise? - briefly
Grasp the tick with fine‑point tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure; do not twist or rotate. Rotating the parasite—clockwise or counter‑clockwise—can break its mouthparts and increase infection risk.
How should a tick be removed from a person, clockwise or counter‑clockwise? - in detail
A tick should be extracted by applying steady, upward force without rotating the body. Twisting or turning the parasite increases the risk that the hypostome remains embedded, which can lead to infection and complicate removal.
Use fine‑pointed tweezers, a specialized tick‑removal hook, or a small, blunt‑ended instrument. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, securing the mouthparts rather than the abdomen.
- Position the tool so that the jaws encircle the tick’s head.
- Apply gentle, constant pressure straight away from the skin.
- Maintain the pull until the entire organism detaches.
- Avoid squeezing the body, which may release pathogens.
After extraction, clean the bite area with an antiseptic solution and wash the tools with soap and hot water. Store the tick in a sealed container for identification if symptoms develop. Observe the site for several weeks; seek medical advice if rash, fever, or joint pain appear.