How to correctly pull a tick clockwise? - briefly
Grip the tick firmly with tweezers, align the instrument parallel to the skin, and pull upward in a steady, clockwise motion until the mouth releases. Ensure the skin remains taut to avoid breaking the tick’s body.
How to correctly pull a tick clockwise? - in detail
Removing a tick by rotating it clockwise requires a precise technique to minimize the risk of mouth‑part retention and infection. Follow these steps:
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible using fine‑pointed tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool. The grip must be firm enough to prevent slipping but gentle enough to avoid crushing the body.
- Position the tweezers so that the tick’s head points upward, toward the direction of rotation.
- Apply a steady clockwise twist. The motion should be smooth; abrupt jerks can cause the tick’s hypostome to break off.
- Continue the rotation until the tick releases from the skin. Do not lift the tick straight upward; the twisting action is essential for disengaging the anchoring barbs.
- After removal, place the tick in a sealed container with ethanol or a labeled bag for identification if needed. Clean the bite area with antiseptic and wash hands thoroughly.
If the tick’s mouthparts remain embedded, repeat the clockwise twist with a fresh grip, or seek medical assistance. Monitoring the bite site for signs of erythema, swelling, or fever over the next several weeks is recommended.