Tick Removal
Ticks are a disease carrying parasite which makes them dangerous, given
their size. It also makes them hard to find. These creatures can be the size
of a flea. Once engorged, they inflate to the size of a pea. By this point
though, it's too late. The best scenario is to simply keep ticks off the
body by covering exposed skin, along with the use of repellants.
If a tick should become attached to you or your pet, remove it as soon
as possible. Prompt removal reduces the chance of infection by Rocky Mountain
spotted fever (RMSF) and Lyme Disease (LD).
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Shield your fingers with a paper towel, use tweezers or wear rubber
gloves. Grasp the tick close to the skin, and with steady pressure, pull
straight out.
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Do not twist or jerk the tick, as mouthparts may be left in the skin.
Take care not to crush or puncture the tick during removal.
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Use of a hot match or cigarette to remove a tick is NOT recommended
as this may cause the tick to burst. Spotted fever may be acquired from
infected tick body fluids that come in contact with broken skin, the mouth,
or eyes.
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Avoid touching ticks with bare hands. Tick secretions can be infectious.
Spotted fever can be acquired through self-inoculation into a small scratch
or cut.
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After removing a tick, thoroughly disinfect the bite site and wash hands
with soap and water.
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Ticks can be tested for RMSF and/or Lyme Disease. Contact the a local
Disease Program. Place the tick in a small jar or ziplock plastic bag,
along with a few blades of green grass (to provide moisture). Store the
tick in a cool place until it can be delivered.
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Ticks can be safely disposed of by placing them in a container of oil
or alcohol, sticking them to tape, or flushing them in the toilet.
Read also: Lyme disease
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