How to Remove a Live Tick From the Scalp

Because ticks carry so many diseases that are potentially dangerous it is important to remove them from your body immediately. Although ticks can attach anywhere on the body, they are often found on the head. Over the years, many myths about how to remove ticks have developed, such as burning the tick with a match or covering it with nail polish or petroleum jelly. These methods, in fact, can actually cause the tick to infect a person with the disease it carries, states Dr. Frank Barnhill of the Dr. Huggiebear website. Instead, try using tweezers to remove the pest.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber or plastic gloves
• Tweezers
• Soapy water
• Antibacterial ointment

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Instructions

• 1

  Wear rubber or plastic gloves on your hands. Since ticks can spread their diseases through secretions, it is important to avoid touching them with your bare skin.

• 2

  Hold a pair of tweezers in your dominant hand. Place the end of the tweezers around the tick, keeping the tweezers as close to the scalp as possible and grasp firmly. Try to avoid squeezing the body of the tick; only grab what is close to the scalp.

• 3

  Pull the tweezers straight back, removing the tick from the scalp. Avoid twisting or jerking while removing the tick.

• 4

  Wash the area in which the tick was removed with soapy water and apply an antibacterial ointment to the site, if desired. Wash your hands with soap and water as well.