How to Remove a Tick Safely

• Gather your supplies. You’ll need fine-tipped tweezers. If you don’t have that, regular tweezers can work. If you don’t have either, you can use your fingers, but avoid squeezing the tick’s body. “It’s so important not to squeeze the tick’s body,” says Dr. Weston, as its bodily fluids can seep into your skin. “A tweezers is the best tool for control.” A magnifying glass or reading glasses can also be helpful to see the tick clearly. (Tip: Most smart phones and tablets have magnifying apps.)



• Grasp the tick. Use the tweezers to firmly grasp the tick as close to your skin’s surface as possible, near its head or mouth.
• Pull slowly and steadily. Pull the tick straight upward and away from your skin with a slow, steady motion. Avoid twisting or jerking as this can cause the tick’s mouthparts (the parts that pierce your skin) to break off and remain in your skin. If you can't easily remove a tick, contact your care team right away.
• Remove the mouthparts (if necessary). If the mouthparts do break off and stay in your skin, try to remove them carefully with the tweezers. If you can’t remove them, don’t dig around. As long as the body is disconnected, the tick can no longer transmit disease. Your body will naturally get rid of any mouthparts over time, similar to how it handles a splinter.
• Clean the area. Once the tick is removed, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol or an antiseptic wipe to avoid infection.

Important Don’ts

• Don’t try to burn a tick out of your skin with something hot like a match, lighter or heated pin. It can make the tick react and cause it to release more saliva that may contain disease-causing pathogens, increasing your risk of infection.
• Don’t cover the tick with substances like petroleum jelly, toothpaste or nail polish remover. These methods are not effective and can also cause the tick to release more saliva, increasing your risk of infection.

Proper Disposal

To ensure the tick doesn’t reattach or spread disease, dispose of it properly. You can:

• Place it in a sealed container
• Wrap it tightly in tape
• Flush it down the toilet
• Submerge it in rubbing alcohol

Before disposing, it’s a good idea to take a photo of the tick, which can help your physician identify its type in case you develop symptoms from the bite.

Check for Other Ticks

Make sure to check your entire body for additional ticks. Pay close attention to their favorite warm hiding spots:

• Armpits
• Scalp line
• Behind the knees and ears
• Belly button
• Groin
• Between fingers and toes

“If you notice a tick on yourself after being outside with your pet, check your pet, too,” says Dr. Weston.

Monitor for Symptoms

For 30 days after removal, watch for signs of:

• Rash
• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Joint pain
• Oozing or growing redness around the bite site

If you develop any of these symptoms, contact your care team. Tell them about your recent tick bite, including when and where you likely picked up the tick. Your physician may order a blood test, if indicated by your symptoms, to check for Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Borrelia miyamotoi disease or other tick-related conditions.

“A rash is a common symptom of Lyme disease,” says Dr. Weston. “It usually starts as a small, red area at the site of the tick bite and then grows over time into a larger circle or oval.” Sometimes this rash, which is known as erythema migrans, will look like a bull’s-eye or target. 

Learn more about bug bites and prevention.