How to Remove a Tick
(NH DHHS)
- Grasp the mouthparts with a tweezer as close as possible to the attachment (skin) site. If tweezers are not available, use fingers shielded with tissues or rubber gloves.
- Do not handle a tick with bare hands.
- Be careful not to squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick, which may contain infectious fluids.
- It is important that a tick be removed as soon as it is discovered.
- After removing the tick, thoroughly disinfect the tick site with rubbing alcohol or antibacterial wash and then wash hands with hot water and soap.
- See or call a doctor if there are concerns about incomplete tick removal.
- Do not attempt to remove ticks by using petroleum jelly, lit cigarettes, or other home remedies because they may actually increase the chance of contracting a tick-borne disease.