What is the removal of a tick called? - briefly
The procedure is known as tick extraction. It involves grasping the tick with fine forceps and pulling it straight out without crushing the body.
What is the removal of a tick called? - in detail
The procedure of extracting a tick from skin is commonly referred to as tick removal or tick extraction. Medical literature also uses the term tick detachment when describing the act of separating the parasite from the host.
Effective extraction requires fine‑pointed tweezers, preferably stainless‑steel, or a specialized tick‑removal device. The steps are:
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible, avoiding compression of the body.
- Apply steady, upward traction until the mouthparts disengage.
- Disinfect the bite area with an antiseptic solution.
- Preserve the removed tick in a sealed container with alcohol if identification or testing is needed.
Key considerations:
- Do not twist, jerk, or squeeze the tick’s abdomen; these actions increase the risk of leaving mouthparts embedded and may cause pathogen transmission.
- After removal, monitor the site for erythema, swelling, or a rash for up to four weeks. Seek medical evaluation if any of these signs appear.
- Certain populations—children, immunocompromised individuals, and those with known tick‑borne disease exposure—should consult a healthcare professional promptly rather than attempting self‑extraction.
Professional settings employ additional measures such as magnification, sterile instruments, and, when necessary, surgical excision of residual mouthparts. Laboratory analysis of the specimen can identify species and assess the likelihood of disease vectors, informing post‑removal treatment decisions.