What to do if a tick remains on a person? - briefly
Grasp the tick with fine‑pointed tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or crushing the body. After removal, clean the bite site with antiseptic and monitor the area for several days for signs of infection.
What to do if a tick remains on a person? - in detail
When a tick stays attached after an outdoor exposure, immediate removal reduces the chance of disease transmission. Delay increases the risk of pathogen entry through the feeding site.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine‑tipped tweezers.
- Apply steady, downward pressure; avoid twisting or crushing the body.
- Pull the tick out in a straight line until the mouthparts detach completely.
- Disinfect the bite area with an alcohol swab or iodine solution.
- Place the tick in a sealed container for identification, if required, then discard.
After extraction, observe the site for signs of infection. Redness, swelling, or a raised rash may indicate an adverse reaction. Record the date of the bite and monitor for systemic symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, or muscle aches for up to four weeks. If any of these manifestations appear, seek medical evaluation promptly and provide details of the exposure and the tick species, if known.