Tick Removal
If you find a tick attached to your skin, there's no need to panic. There are several tick removal devices on the market, but a plain set of fine-tipped tweezers will remove a tick quite effectively.
How to remove a tick
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
- After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
![outline of tick](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120924221217im_/http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/images/tick-icon.png)
Avoid folklore remedies such as "painting" the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin. Your goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible--not waiting for it to detach.
![tweezers grasping a tick close to the skin's surface](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120924221217im_/http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/images/remove-a.jpg)
![tweezers pulling a tick away from the skin in an upward motion](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120924221217im_/http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/images/remove-b.jpg)
Follow-up
If you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing a tick, see your doctor. Be sure to tell the doctor about your recent tick bite, when the bite occurred, and where you most likely acquired the tick.
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 - New Hours of Operation
8am-8pm ET/Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
Resources
Free Webinar CME course
Recognizing and Treating Tick-Borne Diseases
Sponsored by MO Dept of Health and Senior Services and DEET Education Program. Free registration required.