It’s that time of year again! The ticks have been busy already, we have seen lots of folks this spring with bites and the subsequent problems they cause.
If you get bit by a tick:
Remove it as soon as possible. Do NOT wait to have a healthcare provider do it. The longer a tick stays attached, the more likely it is to spread infection.
To remove a tick:
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible using clean tweezers. Avoid squeezing the tick’s body.
- Pull the tick away from the skin’s surface with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick – this can cause the tick’s mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.
- Do not use petroleum jelly, heat, nail polish or other substances to try to make the tick detach from the skin’s surface. This may agitate the tick and force infected fluid from the tick’s mouth into the skin.
- Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or putting it in alcohol. Do not crush the tick with your fingers.
After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water. Perform a careful check on the rest of your body to look for other ticks.
If you develop a fever, rash, body aches or fatigue after a tick bite please see your doctor.
