What should you do if you find a tick on your skin? - briefly
Use fine‑tipped tweezers to grasp the parasite as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady pressure; then disinfect the bite site, wash your hands, and watch for any rash or fever in the following weeks.
What should you do if you find a tick on your skin? - in detail
If a tick is attached to your skin, act promptly to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
First, gather the necessary tools: fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal device, antiseptic solution, clean gloves, and a sealed container for the specimen.
1. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Position the tweezers at the head or mouthparts, avoiding squeezing the abdomen. 2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist, jerk, or crush the body, which can cause saliva or infected fluids to enter the wound. 3. After removal, inspect the bite site. If any part of the tick remains embedded, repeat the extraction with fresh tweezers. 4. Disinfect the area with antiseptic. Wash hands thoroughly. 5. Place the tick in a sealed bag or vial. Label with date, location, and host species if known; retain for possible laboratory testing. 6. Monitor the bite site for a minimum of 30 days. Record any emerging symptoms such as rash, fever, headache, or joint pain. 7. If symptoms appear, seek medical attention promptly. Provide the saved tick and notes on exposure to aid diagnosis.
Documentation of the incident, including the type of environment (e.g., woodland, lawn) and duration of attachment, assists healthcare providers in assessing infection risk.