What to do if you find a tick on clothing? - briefly
Use fine‑tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the fabric as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Dispose of the insect, then launder the clothing in hot water and disinfect any exposed skin.
What to do if you find a tick on clothing? - in detail
Finding a tick attached to a piece of clothing requires immediate action to prevent it from attaching to skin and to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
First, isolate the garment. Move the item away from other clothing and surfaces to avoid spreading the parasite. If the tick is still alive, place a clean towel or paper towel over it to keep it from crawling.
Next, remove the tick with fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool. Grip the parasite as close to the surface of the fabric as possible, avoiding compression of its body. Pull upward with steady, even pressure; do not twist or jerk, which could cause the mouthparts to break off and remain embedded. After extraction, inspect the fabric for any remaining fragments and repeat the process if necessary.
Dispose of the tick safely. Submerge it in a sealed container with alcohol, place it in a zip‑lock bag, or flush it down the toilet. Do not crush the insect, as this may release pathogens.
After removal, wash the affected clothing in hot water (minimum 60 °C/140 °F) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. This combination kills any residual ticks or eggs that might be present on the fabric.
Conduct a thorough body check, especially in areas where clothing fits tightly, to ensure no additional ticks have transferred. Use a mirror or enlist assistance for hard‑to‑see regions such as the scalp, behind the ears, and the groin.
Record the date, location, and any symptoms that develop. If a bite is later confirmed or if signs such as fever, rash, or joint pain appear, seek medical evaluation promptly. Early treatment reduces complications from tick‑borne illnesses.