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How To Remove Ticks From Your Skin

How To Remove Ticks From Your Skin

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When you need to remove ticks, it can be anything from a minor annoyance or a major problem. Most ticks that get into our homes come from pets, dogs and cats in particular. It is important to check your pet for parasites and remove ticks as soon as possible. If you find a tick biting your skin, remove it immediately.

How To Remove Ticks | A Quick Fix For Ticks

1. Use Pointed Tweezers

Use a pointy tweezer | How to Remove Ticks from your Skin | Ticks

You will need pointed tweezers to make sure you have a good grip on the tick without crushing the head or leaving parts of it on your skin.

2. Grasp the Tick as Close to the Skin as Possible

Grasp the Tick as Close to the Skin as Possible | How To Remove Ticks From Your Skin

Try to get as close to the tick's head as possible, and then press firmly. This will ensure that you get the whole tick out.

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3. Pull the Tick Up Slowly and Steadily

Slow and steady does it when you are trying to remove ticks. Pulling it out too fast might result in breaking the tick in half, leaving the head secured to your skin.

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3. Do Not Jerk or Twist

Twisting and turning the tick around when pulling it out is a huge no-no. Doing so might break apart the tick before you pull it out completely.

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4. Clean the Bite Area

Clean the Bite Area | How To Remove Ticks From Your Skin

Finally, once the bugger has been successfully pulled out, it's time to clean and disinfect the wound. Use soap and warm water, then rub some alcohol on it to disinfect.

Effects of Ticks and Fleas

Ticks are annoying, and that is reason enough for tick removal. However, there are certain infections and tick-borne illnesses that you might suffer from a bite. Therefore, removing a tick should be a high priority once you experience the following symptoms:

  • pain or swelling on bite site
  • rashes
  • burning sensation on bite site
  • blisters
  • difficulty breathing

These are just some basic allergic reactions to tick bites. However, the following symptoms might indicate something more that came with the bite:

  • full body rash
  • stiff neck
  • headaches
  • nausea
  • lethargy and weakness
  • muscle or joint pain
  • fever
  • chills
  • swelling of lymph nodes

When you experience these symptoms, head to a certified medical professional as soon as you remove the ticks from your body.

How To Prevent Ticks

Ticks can be found worldwide. You might even bring some home from vacation. In the U.S., for example, the South, Midwest, and even California is home to many ticks. You will also find that your bug-out locations will host ticks as well. Tick-borne diseases are prevalent here, so be sure to take the following precautions before your trip:

  • Stock DEET, permethrin, or picaridin
  • Use light-colored protective clothing outdoors
  • Tuck your pants into your socks
  • Avoid known tick hotspots
  • Check yourself (and your companions) for ticks daily, and remove asap.

The TickEncounter Resource Center has a step-by-step video on how to remove a tick:

Tick removal is a responsibility a survivalist should never ignore. These little critters can spread infection and tick-borne illnesses without a second thought – it's just their nature. And it's not just your pet that's in danger. Therefore, make sure you keep alert for these little buggers. It may just save your life.

How do you take care of tick bites? Let us know in the comments section.

Up Next: 5 Natural Tick Repellents to Get Rid of Ticks NOW

Placard | How to Remove Ticks from your Skin | Ticks

Editor's note: This post has been updated for quality and relevancy.

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