How to get rid of a subcutaneous tick on a person's body? - briefly
Grasp the tick with fine‑point tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure; then cleanse the site with antiseptic. If any mouthparts stay embedded, sterilize a needle, gently lift them out, and watch the area for signs of infection.
How to get rid of a subcutaneous tick on a person's body? - in detail
Removing a tick that has penetrated beneath the skin requires careful technique to avoid leaving mouthparts behind and to reduce the risk of infection.
First, confirm the presence of the arthropod. Look for a small, oval protrusion, often surrounded by a reddened halo. If the tick’s body is fully visible, proceed; if only a portion is exposed, the organism may be partially embedded.
Prepare sterile equipment: fine‑point tweezers or forceps, a sterile needle (e.g., 22‑gauge), antiseptic solution (70 % isopropyl alcohol or povidone‑iodine), sterile gauze, and a disposable container for the specimen. Wear disposable gloves to protect both the patient and the handler.
Removal steps:
- Disinfect the skin around the tick with antiseptic.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible using the tweezers, avoiding compression of the abdomen.
- Apply steady, upward traction. Do not twist or jerk, which can cause the mouthparts to break off.
- If the tick is firmly anchored and does not release with gentle pulling, insert the sterile needle beside the mouthparts to lift the embedment gently. Then re‑grip with tweezers and continue upward traction.
- Once detached, place the tick in a sealed container with a small amount of alcohol for identification if needed.
- Clean the bite site again with antiseptic, then cover with sterile gauze.
After removal, observe the area for 24–48 hours. Signs that warrant medical evaluation include increasing redness, swelling, pus, fever, or a rash. Persistent pain or the presence of retained mouthparts also necessitates professional care. If the person has known allergies to tick bites, administer appropriate antihistamines or seek immediate assistance.
Document the date and location of the bite, and retain the tick specimen for laboratory testing if disease transmission is suspected. Prompt, precise extraction combined with proper wound care minimizes complications and reduces the likelihood of pathogen transmission.