How to Extract Ticks

Ticks are blood-sucking insects that are most often associated with household pets, but they can be dangerous to humans as well, due to their ability to host Lyme disease. Extracting ticks is a straightforward process. By following a step-by-step procedure, it can be done safely and quickly.

Things You'll Need

• Anti-bacterial soap or sanitizer
• Rubbing alcohol
• Fine-tipped tweezers
• Small jar (optional)
• Bandage (optional)

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Instructions

• 1

  Sterilize your equipment and hands. Dip your tweezers in rubbing alcohol and wash your hands using an anti-bacterial soap or hand sanitizer. If removing a tick from another person, wear safety gloves to avoid possible contamination.

• 2

  Place the tips of the tweezers at the tick's head, grasping it as close to the skin as possible. Do not squeeze too hard. Gently lift the tick away from the skin. Do not twist, as the tick's mouth may remain embedded in the skin.

• 3

  Disinfect the tweezers again using rubbing alcohol, and then use the tips of your tweezers to grasp the mouth pieces and gently lift them out of the skin, if the tick's mouth is severed from the body and remains embedded in the skin.

• 4

  Store the tick in a small jar and call your doctor if you suspect transmission of Lyme disease or if there is a rash on the skin. He may want to have the tick tested for the disease. If a rash or fever appears in the next few weeks, call your doctor or public health center.

• 5

  Clean the bite with iodine or rubbing alcohol, and apply a fresh bandage if the bite is large or bleeding.