How To Safely Remove A Tick

By Kendra Bobowick

You look down and there it is.

A small dark tick is clinging to your skin.

What do you do?

“Well first, if you’re over 40, you should put on your glasses!” joked Health District Director Donna Culbert. Seriously, however, keep a set of pointy-tipped tweezers handy in a drawer or medicine cabinet, she advised.

Roll back your sleeve to better reveal the small tick, or possibly it has bitten in at the waistband or top of your socks where it traveled from your clothing to bare skin. Take the fine-tipped tweezers and grasp it just above the point where it has bitten in and firmly pull it out.

“Don’t grab it with your fingers or try any home remedies,” she warned. Vaseline is not going to cause the tick to “back out,” for example. Don’t douse the tick with harsh chemicals or attempt to yank or squeeze it with your fingers, which may crush it.

“Grab it with the tweezers right behind where it is attached,” Ms Culbert continued. “You might hear a little snap sound because it has little barbs holding on.” She advises, “Bag it. Send it to us and we’ll test it.”

Clean the bite area first with soap and water, and then apply an antiseptic.

“People sometimes forget how good soap and water is,” she added. A quick wash will clean infection from the site and prevent any secondary infection.

The tick may be off your skin and headed for the Health District, but several more precautions are necessary, Ms Culbert insisted. “Keep and eye on the area where you were bitten,” she said.

If the tick did transmit Lyme disease, which is among the several tick-borne disease people can contract from just one bite, a rash may develop.

“But not everyone gets it,” cautioned the Health District Director. Although the spreading “bull’s-eye” rash is a common symptom, it does not develop in every case. Although a “little wound” will be visible where the tick had bitten in, Ms Culbert described a rash as spreading or expanding.

“Call your physician. Many will give you a prophylactic treatment — a dose of antibiotic to head it off at the pass,” she said. This method is a preventative treatment, she said. The measure needs to take place within 72 hours. “There is only a window of opportunity,” she said.

“If it’s a weekend, leave a message for your doctor. Many pick up their messages,” she said. Also, the doctor will likely want to see you before prescribing anything, she said.

Next, keep an eye on how you are feeling after the tick has been discovered.

“How are you feeling. Is there fatigue, headache, general achiness, or a stiff neck?” she asked. Any of these things may indicate Lyme.

Dr Michele McLeod, a resident and Newtown Tick-Borne Disease Action Committee member, said, “Studies have shown that if a tick is removed within 24 hours of attachment, even if the tick is infected, you will not become infected. After 24 hours, the potential for infection increases steadily.

Remember the BLAST method: Bathe after spending time outdoors, Look yourself over, Apply repellants, Spray your yard to reduce tick abundance, and Treat your pets to protect from disease.

She recommends “Absolutely” notifying a doctor if a tick is found, and following personal medical doctor’s recommendations.

Repellants should have at least 30 percent DEET as an ingredient. Natural repellants are also sold.