What is used to comb ticks? - briefly
A fine‑toothed, stainless‑steel comb specifically designed for tick removal is used to separate and extract the parasites from hair or fur. Gentle brushing with the comb dislodges the tick without crushing it.
What is used to comb ticks? - in detail
A fine‑toothed comb designed for ectoparasite removal is the primary instrument for combing ticks from hair, fur, or fabric. The comb’s teeth are spaced 0.2–0.5 mm apart, allowing the head of a tick to be captured while preventing the body from slipping through. Metal variants provide rigidity and ease of sterilization; plastic models offer flexibility and reduced risk of skin injury.
Effective use follows a systematic procedure:
- Secure the animal or person in a calm position to minimise movement.
- Grip the comb firmly and run it through the affected area in the direction of hair growth.
- When a tick becomes lodged between the teeth, apply gentle upward pressure to lift it out without crushing the abdomen.
- Transfer the tick to a container for proper disposal or testing.
- Clean the comb with soap and water, then disinfect with an alcohol solution to prevent cross‑contamination.
Alternative tools include specialized tick removal hooks, which feature a small, curved tip to pry the tick’s mouthparts from the skin. However, these devices lack the ability to sweep large surface areas and are best reserved for isolated infestations.
Choosing the appropriate comb depends on the host’s hair thickness and the expected tick species. For dense coats, a metal comb with slightly wider spacing reduces snagging, whereas a plastic comb with narrower teeth excels on fine hair or human scalp. Regular inspection with the comb, performed weekly during peak tick season, markedly reduces the risk of tick‑borne disease transmission.