Here’s how to safely remove a tick

Q: What is the best way to remove a tick from a person’s skin?

A: Several infections in North America can be associated with tick bites. The most- infamous tick- related infection is Lyme disease. Another serious infection is Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other infections related to the Rickettsia bacteria. Other infections include human monocytic ehrlichiosis and human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Powassan virus is a “newer” but rare infectious agent identified with tick bites.

CDC. gov gives these steps for removing a tick:

1. Use fine- tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.

2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.

3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub or soap and water.

4. Dispose of a live tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/ container, wrapping it tightly in tape or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers.

Folklore remedies such as “painting” the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly should be avoided. The goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible, not wait for it to detach.