How to Remove a Buried Tick

Many people think you can use nail polish or a lighter to remove a tick that has buried its mouth parts into your skin. But doctors do not recommend those methods because they can transmit disease from the tick to your bloodstream, according to eMedicineHealth. These arachnid creatures are attracted to hosts including humans and dogs, and they transmit Lyme disease. Once removed from the skin, ticks must be safely contained or discarded to prevent disease transmission.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Tweezers
• Anti-bacterial soap
• Empty jar

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Instructions

• 1

  Put on gloves to protect your hands from pathogens from the tick.

• 2

  Bend the tick onto its back using the tweezers. Gently pull the tick to free the head and mouth parts from your skin.

• 3

  Place the tick in a jar and close the jar's lid to prevent the bug from escaping.

• 4

  Wash the affected area with hot water and anti-bacterial soap to remove surface bacteria. Wash your hands and the tweezers to prevent disease transmission, according to eMedicineHealth.

• 5

  Dispense a dime-sized amount of antibiotic cream onto the bite mark. Check the bite for five to six days after being bitten to determine if the bite mark heals or becomes worse, which is a sign of infection.

• 6

  Schedule an appointment with your physician if the bite mark turns into a rash. Bring the jar with the tick stored in it to your physician to determine the type of tick.