How to remove a tick if it is already under the skin? - briefly
Grasp the tick near the skin with fine‑point tweezers and pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding crushing the body. Clean the bite site with antiseptic and watch for redness or fever in the following days.
How to remove a tick if it is already under the skin? - in detail
Removing an embedded tick requires steady hands, proper tools, and awareness of infection risk. Follow these steps precisely.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal device. Avoid squeezing the body, which can release pathogens.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk, as this may leave mouthparts embedded.
- Inspect the attachment site. If any part of the tick remains, repeat the grasp‑and‑pull motion until the entire organism is detached.
- Disinfect the bite area with an antiseptic such as povidone‑iodine or alcohol. Apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment if available.
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling the tick and any contaminated materials.
If the mouthparts cannot be removed with tweezers, use a sterile needle to lift them gently. Do not dig aggressively; excessive trauma can increase inflammation.
After removal, monitor the site for signs of infection: redness extending beyond a few millimeters, swelling, warmth, or pus formation. Also watch for systemic symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, or a rash resembling a “bull’s‑eye.” Should any of these appear within two weeks, seek medical attention promptly, as they may indicate tick‑borne disease.
Preserve the tick in a sealed container with a damp cotton ball if identification or laboratory testing is required. Label the container with the date of removal and the location where the tick was found.
Key precautions:
- Use only clean, sharp instruments; disposable tweezers minimize cross‑contamination.
- Perform the procedure in a well‑lit area to ensure complete extraction.
- Avoid home remedies such as petroleum jelly, heat, or chemicals, which can cause the tick to regurgitate infectious material.
- Do not rely on “tick removal kits” that lack proper gripping mechanisms; they often fail to secure the tick adequately.
By adhering to these guidelines, the risk of disease transmission is minimized and the wound can heal without complication.