The most common and recommended method to remove a tick is as follows:
- Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible, near the tick’s mouthparts.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure without twisting or jerking to avoid leaving parts behind or causing regurgitation.
- If mouthparts remain in the skin, try to remove them with tweezers carefully; if not possible, let the skin heal naturally.
- After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, soap and water, or an antibacterial cleanser.
- Dispose of the tick safely by drowning it in rubbing alcohol, placing it in a sealed container, or flushing it down the toilet.
- Avoid folk methods such as using petroleum jelly, nail polish, heat, or alcohol to force the tick off, as they can increase infection risk.
If symptoms such as rash, fever, or flu-like signs develop after a tick bite, seek medical attention promptly.
