How to Safely Remove a Tick

What Is a Tick Bite?

A tick bite is a wound from a tiny arachnid similar to spiders and mites. Ticks feed on blood and can carry infectious illnesses like Lyme disease. So, removing them from yourself or your child as soon as possible is crucial.

How do you remove ticks? That’s an important question. People recommend many different ways to get rid of them, but often the methods are ineffective.

This article describes how to remove ticks from people who have been bitten by them. It includes what to do if the head of a tick is stuck in the skin.

Common Ticks Found in Kentucky

There are many types of ticks. In Kentucky, the most common ticks include:

• Lone Star Tick: Very common in Kentucky, these reddish-brown ticks are active questers, meaning they pursue their hosts.
• American Dog Tick: These brown ticks can survive for up to two years without eating.
• Blacklegged Tick: Reddish-orange in color, these ticks remain active at lower temperatures than most other species.
• Winter Tick: These brown ticks typically don’t affect humans as they primarily parasitize moose.
• Asian Longhorned Tick: Brown in color, these ticks are the first known invasive species in the U.S.
• Brown Dog Tick: As the name suggests, these brown-colored ticks prefer dogs as their hosts.
• Gulf Coast Tick: These ticks are brown with complex white patterns. They prefer coastal grasslands but can be found in grassy areas like meadows in Kentucky.

Step By Step Guide to Tick Removal

If you notice a tick on yourself or a loved one, your first question will likely be, “How do I safely remove a tick?” It’s important to use the right approach to get rid of ticks on human skin and to remove them as soon as possible. However, it’s also important to remain calm. People understandably worry about getting Lyme disease from ticks, but the risk of developing it is very low.

So, if you spot a tick on your child, yourself or your pet, it’s best to take a deep breath and relax. Then, proceed as follows.

Step 1: Use fine-tipped tweezers.

Pointy tweezers (rather than those with squared-off ends) enable you to grip the tick closer to your skin. Grasping it there helps ensure you remove all parts of the tick.

Step 2: Grasp the tick's head.

Ticks burrow headfirst. So, you want to grasp them close to the skin.

Step 3: Pull steadily upward.

Apply gentle, firm upward pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick, as that can break it. What should you do after removing a tick? Dispose of it carefully by placing it in a sealed bag or container, wrapping it securely in tape or flushing it down the toilet.

Step 4: Check for parts left behind.

Inspect the bite site for remaining parts. If part of the head has broken off and is still in the skin, try to pull it out using the same technique. Don’t attempt to eject it by squeezing the skin. If you can’t remove a small remaining portion of the tick that’s completely under the skin, don’t worry. Your body will take care of it.

Step 5: Clean the area.

What should you put on a tick bite after removal? It’s best to clear the area with rubbing alcohol, but soap and water also works.

Step 6: Monitor for symptoms.

You might have some mild, temporary pain after removing a tick, but keep an eye on the bite site for signs of infection and monitor the person’s health for signs of illness. Symptoms can include:

• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fever
• Rash

How Long Does a Tick Have To Be on You To Get Lyme Disease?

Ticks typically must be attached for at least 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease and other infections. So, the good news is that you can do a “tick check” of yourself and your child after being in areas likely to have them to reduce your risk.

For those who contract a tick-borne illness, how long after removing the tick will symptoms appear? That varies based on the condition, but symptoms typically develop within 30 days.

When To See A Professional

The primary goal of tick bite home treatment is to remove the tick carefully and as fully as possible before safely discarding it. Knowing how to extract a tick head and having tweezers and rubbing alcohol available can make removal easier.

Your doctor is a good source of information if you have concerns about ticks during a visit. How far can ticks burrow into the skin, and how fast can a tick burrow? How do you check for ticks in the hair? What does it mean if you have a bump from a tick bite that won’t go away? How do you stop a tick bite from itching? They can answer these questions.

If you develop any of the symptoms listed above, you should contact your doctor. They can do an exam and recommend treatment if needed.

If you don’t have a Baptist Health doctor, you can use our online provider directory to find one.

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