How to remove a tick under the skin? - briefly
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine‑point tweezers, pull upward with steady pressure until the mouthparts detach, then cleanse the area with antiseptic. Dispose of the insect safely and observe the bite for any signs of infection.
How to remove a tick under the skin? - in detail
Removing an embedded tick requires precision to avoid leaving mouthparts behind and to reduce infection risk. Follow these steps:
- Use fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool. Grip the tick as close to the skin as possible, grasping the head or mouthparts, not the body.
- Apply steady, downward pressure. Pull straight out without twisting or jerking, which can cause the mouthparts to break off.
- Inspect the extraction site. If any fragment remains, sterilize a needle and gently lift it out. Do not dig or squeeze the area.
- Disinfect the wound with an iodine solution or alcohol. Allow it to air‑dry before covering with a clean bandage if needed.
- Preserve the removed tick in a sealed container with alcohol for identification, especially if symptoms develop later.
- Monitor the bite for signs of infection or disease: redness spreading beyond the bite, fever, rash, or flu‑like symptoms. Seek medical attention promptly if any appear.
Key considerations:
- Perform removal within 24 hours; the longer the tick remains, the higher the chance of pathogen transmission.
- Avoid using petroleum jelly, heat, or chemicals to coax the tick out; these methods increase the risk of incomplete extraction.
- If the tick is deeply embedded and mouthparts cannot be accessed, consult a healthcare professional rather than attempting forceful removal.
Aftercare: