What To Do When You Notice A Tick Stuck To Your Body

After a long day in nature, the first thing you probably want to do is take a long hot shower. A shower after an active day is normally therapeutic, but this relaxation can quickly turn to panic and dread when you notice a tick on your skin. Noticing a tick stuck to your body is an unsettling experience, but there are certain steps you should take as soon as you notice this unwelcome pest.

When you notice a tick on your body you should remove it promptly. To remove a tick, use sterilized tweezers to get a grip on the bug, then slowly and carefully pull it out. If the head is still stuck in your body, try removing it with the tweezers. Save the tick in a sealed container, as you may need it for identification purposes. 

Once you notice a tick on your body, you should immediately take action. Ticks can carry and transmit Lyme disease. The longer an infected tick is on your body, the greater the chances are it can transmit this disease. Before you hastily rip this tick off your skin, however, there are a few questions you should ask yourself.

Five Questions To Ask When You Find A Tick On Your Body

1. How Long Has The Tick Been On Your Body?

The first major safety question you need to ask yourself when you notice a tick on your body is how long the tick has been there. This is an important for two reasons. First, the longer a tick has been in your skin, the more embedded and stubborn it is likely to be. 

Second, if a tick has been on your skin for more than 24 hours, then you are at risk of Lyme disease from certain ticks.

2. What Type Of Tick Is It?

Another key factor when worrying about the transmission of Lyme disease is the type of tick that is attached to you. Only a few varieties of ticks can transmit Lyme disease. 

The deer tick, also known as the black-legged tick, is the type of tick that spreads Lyme disease. Based on the size, shape, and color of the tick, you can usually determine whether the tick in question is dangerous.

3. Is There Lyme Disease In Your Region?

Next, you also must consider if Lyme disease is a problem where you live. Much of the United States, especially any region with deer and woodlands, is highly susceptible to Lyme disease. So depending on where you live, you can potentially catch Lyme disease from a tick in your yard.

4. What Tools Do You Have At Your Disposal?

Next, you must ask yourself what tools you have to work with. The most important tool is a reliable set of tweezers. You also need something to disinfect the tweezers. You may also want a razor, alcohol, cotton swabs, and other items. The more you have, the better your chances are at successfully removing and disposing of the tick.

5. Where Is The Tick Located?

Ticks can lodge themselves anywhere on your body. They love to hide, especially in regions like your armpits, under your socks, and in your hair. If a tick is in your hair or under your armpit, then you may need assistance removing it successfully.

Step-By-Step Guide To Removing A Tick On Your Skin

Step One: Sterilize Quality Tweezers

The first step to successfully removing a tick from your body is locating a set of quality tweezers. Opt for tweezers that have plenty of grip, and ones that aren’t too sharp. You don’t want the tweezers to cut the tick. 

Next, sterilize the tweezers. You may need to dig into your skin a bit, and tweezers aren’t necessarily the most sanitary object in your medicine cabinet. Boil them in water for at least 30 seconds, or clean them in sterilizing alcohol.

Step Two: Get A Good Grip On The Tick And Pull

The next step is the most critical in removing the tick. It involves caution and patience. Once you sterilize your tweezers, get a good grip on the tick, ideally where it is widest. Next, slowly pull, applying minimal pressure.

If you pull too hard you will almost certainly separate the body from the head, leaving the head lodged in your skin. Do not twist. Instead, slowly, firmly, and patiently pull until the tick is off your skin.

Step Three: Put The Tick In Baggy

Next, place the tick in a sealable plastic bag. If you remove the entire tick successfully, there is a good chance it is still alive, so make sure you seal the bag properly. This will help you identify the tick species. It will also help you determine if you got the entire tick out of your body.

Step Four: Check To See If The Head Is Still Under Your Skin

You next need to look at the wounded area. If the tick you removed looks like it's missing its head, then shine a light on the skin and see if you notice any more dark matter.

If you see any residual parts of the tick’s body, use your tweezers to try and remove them. Do your best to remove it all, but don’t hurt yourself.

Step Five: Clean And Cover The Area

Next, clean the area with alcohol, place antibiotic ointment on it, then a bandage. This is particularly important if you are bleeding after you remove the tick. It reduces the risk of infection, and it also promotes healing.

Step Six: Seek Medical Advice When Necessary 

If you think the tick has been attached to your body for more than 24 hours, or have no idea when it attached itself to you, you should seek medical advice. If you know the tick in question was a deer tick and you live in an area where Lyme disease is present, you should also consult a medical professional for advice.

Secondary Methods To Help Remove A Tick Buried In Your Skin

The process above is the most effective and helpful way to remove a tick quickly and in a sanitary way. There are, however, other popular methods that are commonly used to coax ticks out from your skin. Their effectiveness is not confirmed, but some people swear by the following methods.

Soak The Tick In Alcohol

Some say using a cotton ball soaked in alcohol and placing it on the tick is a great way to help loosen the tick's grip. Once you soak the area for several minutes, you can try the tweezer method above, and see if the tick lets go easily.

Use High Heat To Remove The Tick

Some people also use a burned match to try to remove the tick. The idea is high heat on the tick’s skin will inspire it to remove its head from your body and find a safe home. This method is likely to be more effective on a tick that just latched on.

Cover The Tick And Surrounding Area In Vaseline

Lastly, some people cover a tick with Vaseline, all around its body. The idea behind this method is it cuts off any air supply, and can potentially suffocate the tick. If successful, the tick will remove itself from your skin on its own in an attempt to get some air.

Summing Up What To Do When A Tick Is Stuck To Your Body

Finding a tick embedded in your body is one of the most disturbing experiences you are likely to have after a day in nature. Not only is it scary to have a bug attached to your body, but some ticks carry Lyme disease. When you notice a tick on your body, you should try to remove it using sterilized tweezers.

Make sure you get a good grip on its body, and slowly pull, applying careful but firm pressure. Next, place the tick in a baggy for inspection, and see if there is any portion of the tick still under your skin. If you aren’t sure how long the tick was lodged in your body, it's best to consult a medical professional.

Related Guides:

• Bed Bug Vs. Tick: How to Tell the Difference
• Does Mowing The Lawn Kill Ticks?
• Can You Flush A Tick Down The Toilet? (Find Out Now!)