What should be applied to a tick to make it detach? - briefly
Use fine‑point tweezers or a tick‑removal tool to grasp the parasite as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not crush the body, as squeezing can increase the risk of pathogen transmission.
What should be applied to a tick to make it detach? - in detail
To detach a tick safely, apply a mechanical gripping device rather than chemical agents. The recommended approach involves the following steps:
- Use fine‑pointed tweezers or a dedicated tick‑removal tool. Position the instrument as close to the skin as possible, grasping the tick’s head or mouthparts.
- Apply steady, upward pressure. Pull directly away from the skin without twisting or jerking, which could leave mouthparts embedded.
- After removal, cleanse the bite area with antiseptic and wash hands thoroughly.
Alternative tools such as a plastic tick‑removal hook function similarly; they slide under the tick’s mouthparts and lift it away. Chemical substances—petroleum jelly, nail polish remover, or insecticides—are not recommended because they may irritate the tick, cause it to inject additional saliva, or increase the risk of infection. The only acceptable adjunct is a mild antiseptic applied to the site after the tick has been removed.