What should be done if ticks are found on the face? - briefly
Use fine‑point tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, pull upward with steady pressure, then disinfect the bite site and wash your hands; seek medical advice if the tick was attached for more than 24 hours, if you cannot remove it completely, or if symptoms such as rash or fever develop.
What should be done if ticks are found on the face? - in detail
If a tick is attached to facial skin, immediate removal is essential to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Follow these precise actions:
- Secure tools: Use fine‑point tweezers or a tick‑removal device that grips the head without crushing the body.
- Grasp close to skin: Position the tips as near to the surface as possible, holding the tick’s mouthparts, not the abdomen.
- Apply steady pressure: Pull upward with even force. Do not twist, jerk, or squeeze the body, which can inject saliva and increase infection risk.
- Inspect the attachment site: After extraction, examine the wound for remaining mouthparts. If fragments remain, repeat removal with clean tweezers.
- Disinfect: Clean the area with an antiseptic solution such as povidone‑iodine or alcohol. Allow it to air dry.
- Preserve the specimen: Place the tick in a sealed container with a damp cotton ball for identification and possible laboratory testing. Label with date, location, and body site.
- Monitor symptoms: Observe the bite area for redness, swelling, or a rash over the next 2–4 weeks. Record any fever, headache, fatigue, or joint pain, and seek medical evaluation promptly if they appear.
- Seek professional care: If removal is difficult, the tick is engorged, or the individual is immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider for assisted extraction and possible prophylactic antibiotics.
These steps constitute a complete protocol for managing a tick attached to the face, minimizing complications and ensuring appropriate follow‑up.