How to Dislodge Tick from the Body
Many people think this is an easy process and that they are skilled in removing ticks, but most common methods of removing ticks increase the risk of infection. [6] The greatest problem in removing a tick is the possible transmission of disease. Techniques of removal that stimulate the tick to leak out even the slightest amount of their blood meal, or to pass infected saliva back into the host, may increase the likelihood of disease transmission.
It is better to remove a tick from the skin through this way:
- Use a small pair of curved forceps or fine-tipped tweezers. Hand gloves are important to avoid spreading disease-causing pathogens.
- Flip the tick carefully over onto its back using the tweezers.
- Grasp the tick firmly with the tweezers as close to the skin as possible. Gently pull until the tick comes free.
- Once dislodged, avoid crushing the tick to prevent transmitting disease.
- In the absence of tweezers, you can use your finger but wearing hand protection is a must. Use your finger to feel the tick on the skin and rotate the body of the tick clockwise or counterclockwise for about a minute or so until it is detached from the skin.
- Thoroughly cleanse the bite area with soap and water or a mild disinfectant and observe for several days for signs and symptoms or any reaction to the tick bite.
- You can apply first-aid antibiotic cream to the area.
- Remember to wash hands thoroughly after handling any tick and disinfect instruments that came in contact with the tick.
Tick Bite Treatment
Treating tick bites is dependent on how long the tick lived on the skin and the severity of the symptoms. However, common ways to treat tick bites are; [7]
- For all tick bites, local cleansing or antibiotics cream can be applied.
- Preparations containing diphenhydramine (Benadryl compounds) are recommended for direct application to the skin to stop itching.
- Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed to treat the resulting disease or illness.
- For severe symptoms, antibiotics may be administered through IV treatment and you may need to be hospitalized.