What is the very best method to remove a tick? If you like near a grassy location and find a number of ticks every summer, this question might be asked a lot. However, there are so many conflicting answers online about how to remove a tick correctly and what to do after.
Everybody and their uncle has a favorite method for getting rid of a tick– from burning it with a match to smothering it in petroleum jelly or painting it with nail polish. However, these are not the best solution.
It’s important to remove a tick right away if you find one. So, how do you do it? Here’s a little bit about why you should remove a tick and how to remove a tick effectively if one attaches.
Why Are Ticks Dangerous for Humans?
Ticks can transfer disease-causing organisms (germs) in one bite. That bite can lead to different diseases, including Lyme disease. These health problems are typically mild, however, if left untreated can have long-lasting effects. For this reason, it is very important to be mindful of the existence of tick environments, defend against tick bites, and understand what to do if you get bitten.
There are steps you can take to avoid ticks from getting to your skin in the first place. Try to avoid locations where ticks are common, such as tall grasses, shrubs, and leaf litter. When you go outside or are going through a thick brush, try to wear long sleeves and pants in addition to your socks and sneakers. If you think you might come in contact with ticks, safeguard yourself even more by spraying exposed skin with a bug spray on any exposed parts of your skin.
How to Remove a Tick
Whenever you come in from the woods make sure you’re giving yourself a good check for ticks. Also, remember to check your dog or kids for ticks too.
If you discover a tick attached to your skin, there’s no need to panic the key is to get rid of the tick as quickly as possible. There are numerous tick elimination gadgets on the marketplace, however, a plain set of fine-tipped tweezers work extremely well. Use sterilized fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin’s surface area as possible.
Carefully pull the tick right out with stable, even pressure. Do not squeeze, twist, or jerk the tick. Look at it once you’ve pulled it out to confirm you’ve gotten the whole thing including the head.
If you didn’t get it all it’s a good idea to go to the doctor to get the rest removed since it could cause an infection.
Dispose of a live tick by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect the bite site with alcohol and a bandage.
Some early symptoms of tick infection can consist of fever, chills, headache, joint pain, and intestinal upset, which can occur in numerous combinations. If you develop any of these symptoms after eliminating a tick, see your medical professional. Be sure to tell the doctor about your current tick bite, when the bite took place, and where you probably obtained the tick.
Bring the tick with you, if possible. If you live in a location where Lyme disease is highly common most frequently the Upper Midwest and Northeast U.S. and the tick that you have actually eliminated is swollen and engorged, talk about with your health care provider whether an antibiotic such as doxycycline needs to be prescribed to avoid Lyme disease.
Whatever You Do Don’t Leave It Be, Get Help
If you find a tick the worst thing you can do is nothing. You need to get the tick removed ASAP. If you can’t do it yourself make sure you seek medical attention right away.
If you’re having a problem with ticks on your property call in the professionals at Proactive Pest Control and we will get rid of ticks right away.