The Best Ways to Remove an Embedded Tick

Tick bites can cause Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever or other illnesses, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you have been bitten, it is important to remove the embedded tick as quickly as possible, save the tick in a sealed jar, and sanitize your hands and the area of the tick bite afterward. Call your doctor if you develop rash, fever, muscle aches or a stiff neck after removing the tick.

Find the Head

• Before removing the tick you first need to look at it carefully and determine where its head is. It is the smallest area on the tick. If the tick is in a hard-to-reach spot, for example on the back of your head, enlist a close friend or family member to help remove it.

  Use a magnifying glass if you have difficulty seeing the tick's features. It is important to pull the tick out at the spot in which its mouth is attached to your skin. Grasping the tick at other areas of its body could cause it to burst and lead to further complications.

Use Tweezers

• Use tweezers with a pointed edge to firmly grasp the tick's head. Get the tweezers' edge as close as possible to the area on your skin where the tick's mouth is embedded. Pull the tweezers straight out in a firm and steady motion. Take care not to twist the tweezers as you pull them out. Wash the area and your hands with soap and water. If you are unable to remove the entire tick, visit your doctor.

Determine Length of Attachment

• If the tick is flat, chances are it was not embedded very long. If the tick is engorged--swollen-looking--it probably was feeding on blood for a longer time. Transmission of Lyme and other diseases begins about one day after the tick has attached. If you decide to visit your doctor, wrap the tick in a damp paper towel and place it inside a closed container. This will prevent the tick from drying out, which can make it impossible to identify. Knowing the type of tick can help you doctor determine what type of illness you may have contracted.