Removing a Tick Safely

According to the University of Rhode Island Tick Encounter Resource Center the safest way to remove a tick is as follows:
Step 1:  Disinfect the tick-bite area with rubbing alcohol
Step 2:  With a pointy tweezer, placed as close to the skin as possible, firmly grabbing the tick's head or directly above the head with the tweezer, apply a slow, steady, upwards pull.
Step 3:  Once the tick is removed, disinfect the tick-bite area once again with rubbing alcohol.

Another method of safely removing ticks, according to a school nurse is to:
Step 1:  Soak a cotton ball in some liquid soap.
Step 2:  Swab the tick with the soapy cotton ball several times.
Step 3:  Then hold the soapy cotton ball on top of the tick so that it is touching it, within 15 seconds or so, the tick will dislodge itself, the tick will be stuck to the cotton ball.

No matter what method you choose to use, once the tick is removed, you should consider sending the tick off to a lab for testing.

How not to remove ticks:
Avoid remedies such as "painting" the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin.

Remember, adult stage deer ticks are only approximately 3mm to 15mm in size, while the nymphal stage deer tick is only about the size of a poppy seed, so, the use of pointed tweezers or the soap method, as stated above, are the best procedures in detaching those nasty creatures.

Shared with:  the healthy home economist