What Happens When You Find a Tick on You?

Ticks are small arachnids that feed by sucking blood from their hosts. The Illinois Department of Public Health classifies ticks as "efficient carriers of disease." They can be difficult to extract when you discover one on your person. When you find a tick, remove it promptly and take steps to prevent an infection.

Tick Removal

• Do not try to yank the tick out with your hands, as ticks lodge their heads in your flesh. Sterilize a pair of tweezers and pull the tick straight out. Don't squeeze the tick too hard; if you crush it, you may end up spreading its innards -- and any diseases it carries -- on your skin and into your bloodstream. Inspect the area and the tick itself closely to ensure you removed the whole thing. Once you remove the tick, wash the area and your hands with water and a cleanser. If you don't feel you can get the tick out on your own, go to your doctor or an urgent care clinic.

Older Methods of Removal

• The older methods of removing ticks include smothering them in petroleum jelly, burning them with a lighter or drowning them in rubbing alcohol. Stick to tweezers; if you kill a tick it could release toxic secretions, and burning something so close to your skin is asking for trouble.

Identify or Dispose of Your Tick

• If you successfully remove the tick, place it in a jar or vial. If you want to identify what type it is, The Illinois Department of Public Health suggests taking it to your local health department. You can also flush it down the toilet or drown it in soapy water.

When to Go to the Doctor

• Ticks can spread Lyme disease, which can mimic a nasty rash and the flu in its early stages. Late-stage Lyme disease can lead to neurological issues, such as facial paralysis and meningitis. According to WebMD, symptoms of a tick-related illness include rash, headache, joint pain, fever or flu-like symptoms. If you begin to feel ill in the hours or days after removing the tick, go to a doctor to obtain a proper diagnosis and receive treatment if necessary.