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Lyme Tick Removal

In the United States, Lyme disease is carried primarily by deer ticks in the Northeast and by black-legged ticks in the upper Midwest and West. The bacteria that causes Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, normally is not transmitted until the tick has been attached to its host for at least 36 hours. Therefore, the American Lyme Disease Foundation recommends that those who are at risk perform daily tick checks to help prevent the disease. It is important to remove a tick correctly so the bite does not become infected.

Things You'll Need

  • Pointed tweezers
  • Jar
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Cotton ball
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Instructions

    • 1

      Grasp the tweezers firmly, and pinch the tick's head as close to the person's skin as possible.

    • 2

      Without twisting, pull slowly and steadily up and away from the skin. Do not release the tick from the tweezers.

    • 3

      Drop the tick into a jar. Pour rubbing alcohol over the tick to ensure it is dead.

    • 4

      Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol, and clean the tick bite. Watch the area for the next couple of weeks. See a doctor if a rash appears.

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