Though we refer to them as “tick bites,” ticks don’t exactly bite. They burrow into the skin head first and get stuck there if you don’t remove them correctly.
Why are ticks dangerous? Several different types of tick can cause Lyme disease — so they need to be removed quickly and they need to be removed correctly. Try not to touch the tick with your bare hands; wear gloves if you have them available.
- Grasp the tick with tweezers as close to the skin as you can get them.
- Pull gently, using constant pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; if you pull too hard, the tick will tear and some parts can be left behind in the skin.
- Take a close look at the tick to make sure it has been completely removed. Pay special attention to the mouth parts.
- If any of the tick is missing, you need medical attention.
- Save the tick in an air tight container — knowing what kind of tick it is can help your doctor treat you. It may also be necessary to test the tick to see what kind of disease it is carrying.
- Watch for early symptoms of Lyme disease, like a red rash that may take the shape of a circle, oval, or bull’s eye.
Don’t try to burn the tick! You may not get rid of the entire insect, and you may burn the person with the tick bite in the process.
Where do ticks bite? They tend to like areas of the body that get moist, like armpits, the neck, the backs of the knees, the waist and belly button, and the groin and rear end. It’s easier to try to avoid a tick bite than to remove one once it’s latched onto you. If you’ll be in tick-friendly areas like forests, be sure to wear long sleeves and long pants, socks and sneakers. Wear an insect repellant that will keep the ticks at bay — there are repellants available both with and without dangerous chemicals.