How to Remove a Tick Safely
Discovering a tick attached to your skin can be unsettling, but staying calm and acting quickly makes all the difference. Time matters when it comes to tick removal—the faster you remove it, the better your chances of avoiding tick-borne illnesses. Research shows that most diseases, including Lyme disease, typically require the tick to remain attached for 24-36 hours before transmission occurs.
Watch: How to Remove a Tick (Video Tutorial)
Video: How to Remove a Tick | CDC Tick Removal Guide
Step-by-Step Removal Instructions
Follow these simple steps to remove a tick safely:
Step 1: Get the Right Tools
Use fine-tipped tweezers (the kind with pointy ends, not flat ends). If you don't have tweezers, you can use your fingers, but cover them with a tissue or paper towel first.
Fine-tipped tweezers are the best tool for tick removal. Image: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Step 2: Grasp the Tick Correctly
Grab the tick as close to your skin as possible. Try to grab the tick's mouthparts (the part that's in your skin), not the body. This prevents you from squeezing the tick's body, which could push germs into your skin.
Step 3: Pull Straight Up
Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick - just pull straight up slowly and steadily. The tick should come out. If it doesn't come out easily, keep pulling with steady pressure.
Important: Don't twist or jerk! This can cause the tick's mouthparts to break off and stay in your skin.
Step 4: Clean the Bite Area
After the tick is removed, clean the bite area and your hands with:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Iodine scrub
- Or soap and water
This helps prevent infection at the bite site.
Step 5: Dispose of the Tick
You can dispose of the tick by:
- Flushing it down the toilet
- Placing it in a sealed bag or container and throwing it away
- Submerging it in rubbing alcohol
- Wrapping it tightly in tape
Optional: You may want to save the tick in a sealed container (like a small jar with alcohol) in case you develop symptoms later. Your doctor might want to identify the tick species.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Tick Removal Guidelines
What NOT to Do - Common Mistakes
There are many old wives' tales about removing ticks. Here's what you should never do:
❌ Don't Use These Methods:
- Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) - This doesn't make ticks detach and may cause them to release more saliva into your skin
- Nail polish - Same problem - doesn't work and may increase disease risk
- Heat (matches, cigarettes, lighters) - Can burn your skin and cause the tick to release more saliva
- Twisting or jerking - Can break off the mouthparts, leaving them in your skin
- Crushing the tick's body - Can force germs into your bite wound
- Bare fingers - Use tweezers or cover your fingers with a tissue
Source: CDC Tick Removal Guidelines
What If the Mouthparts Stay In?
Sometimes, the tick's mouthparts (the part that was in your skin) break off and stay behind. Don't panic! Here's what to do:
- Try to remove them: Use clean tweezers to gently pull them out, like removing a splinter
- If you can't remove them easily: Leave them alone - they'll usually fall out on their own as your skin heals
- Clean the area: Wash with soap and water or rubbing alcohol
- Watch for infection: If the area becomes red, swollen, or has pus, see a doctor
Good news: The mouthparts alone can't transmit disease - only the tick's body can do that. So if the body is removed, your risk is much lower.
Source: CDC Tick Removal Guidelines
After Removing the Tick
Once the tick is removed, here's what you should do:
Watch the Bite Site
- Check for signs of infection: redness, swelling, warmth, or pus
- Note the date you removed the tick
- Take a photo of the bite site if possible
Monitor Your Health
Watch for symptoms of tick-borne diseases:
- Fever or chills
- Rash (especially a "bull's-eye" or expanding rash)
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle and joint aches
Source: CDC - Signs and Symptoms of Tickborne Illness
When to See a Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if:
Seek Medical Attention If:
- You develop a rash or flu-like symptoms within several weeks of the tick bite
- The tick was attached for more than 24-36 hours (especially in areas where Lyme disease is common)
- You couldn't remove the tick completely
- The bite site shows signs of infection (increasing redness, swelling, pus)
- You're pregnant or have a weakened immune system
- You have any concerns about the tick bite
Source: CDC Tick Removal Guidelines
Removing Ticks from Pets
The same removal technique works for pets too! Use fine-tipped tweezers, pull straight up with steady pressure, and clean the area afterward.
Pet-Specific Tips:
- You may need someone to help hold your pet still
- Work in a calm, well-lit area
- Reward your pet with a treat afterward
- Check common attachment sites: ears, around eyes, under collar, between toes, under tail
For more detailed information on protecting pets, see our Pets and Ticks page.
Reference: CDC - Preventing Ticks on Your Pet
Why Quick Removal Matters
Time is important when it comes to tick removal:
Lyme Disease
Usually requires tick attachment for 24-36 hours before transmission. Removing ticks quickly greatly reduces risk.
Other Diseases
Some diseases can be transmitted faster, so always remove ticks as soon as you find them.
Source: CDC - How Ticks Spread Disease
Remember: Prevention is Best
While knowing how to remove ticks is important, the best strategy is to avoid getting bitten in the first place. See our comprehensive Tick Prevention guide for strategies to protect yourself and your family.