How to Remove a Tick

A general misconception prevails about ticks. Most of us consider them as insects, which they are not. Ticks belong to the arachnids family. Spiders, mites and scorpions are also arachnids. How do they come into contact with us? Well, you might just have given them an invitation when you were rolling on the green grass in your garden or fiddling around the shrubs. There are many types of ticks which are more than willing to attach themselves to the host animal that comes in contact with them. These creepy crawlies quickly jump at the lucrative opportunity and climb onto the host. Beware, it could be you or your pets.

A tick goes through four stages. The eggs develop into larvae, larvae to nymph, nymph then develops into an adult. One needs to be cautious because if ticks go unnoticed, they might keep sucking your blood for several days. Every stage of their growth depends on the blood they might be sucking from a host. So, if you are wondering how to remove a tick, the following instructions would help you in case you or your pet is suffering from this problem.

Removing a Tick from a Human

In case you have spotted a tick on your body, you must quickly try to remove it. You could be at an increased risk of getting a tick-borne disease. So, don't invite trouble and get rid of it. If you feel that the tick has attached itself onto your skin, you must ensure that you get rid of the tick completely. If the tick has not really strengthened its grip on you, just get a piece of paper and let the tick move over to the piece of paper. You could then destroy the tick by burning that paper. Do make sure that you destroy it. For this, you might have to use tweezers or pliers. You will have to go very near to the skin where the tick has attached itself. Pull the tick in an upward direction. Make sure that the cemented part is completely taken off the body and there are no remnants. Be very cautious and don't crush the tick. Any fluid that comes out of the tick contains harmful bacteria. After removing the tick, use an antiseptic on the affected area, and wash your hands with a disinfectant.

Removing a Tick from a Dog

If your dog is very fond of rolling over in the green grass, you will have to take all possible precautions to spot any tick clinging onto his body. You must be made aware of the harm these tiny parasites are capable of causing. Lyme Disease and Mountain spotted fever are tick-borne diseases. Therefore, you must ensure that your dear pet remains free of ticks. So, wear your gloves while you check your dog for ticks. This is a precautionary measure you must take to protect yourself. Both humans and animals act as hosts for ticks which is why you must be careful while removing ticks from dogs. This is a way of diminishing the chances of transmission of disease. Examine the ears, head or neck region carefully. Any protruded area should be checked. These eight-legged creatures swell up with the intake of blood. Now, you would need to use tweezers to pull out the tick. Bring the tweezers in close proximity with the pet's skin and pull the tick without hurting the pet's skin. As you pull out the tick, distract your pet. Don't pull vigorously, just a steady and straight pull would do. No part of the tick should remain embedded in your pet's skin. Best way to dispose off the tick would be to burn it. Don't leave any chances of the tick resurfacing around you and your pet. Apply an antiseptic on the affected area, and wash your hands well. Sterilize the tweezers.

Removing a Tick from a Cat

Ticks being ticks, will never leave a chance to latch on to a host. So, if it is your kitty cat that's got a tick on it, get hold of a pair of tweezers. Wear your latex gloves to ensure protection against ticks. You have the get the tick out entirely, so get the tweezers very close to your cat's skin. You have to catch the tick off guard, so that it doesn't get time to inject any more of its saliva. Use of any products like petroleum jelly or vaseline on the tick will cause more trouble. The tick would deposit more saliva which might enter the pet's bloodstream and this would increase the risk of getting tick-borne diseases. So, just grab the attached part and pull. Again, the important aspect of removal of a tick is how you pull it out. So, don't twist the head alone. Go for a straight upward pull that wipes off the entire tick from the host. Just twisting the head would leave other parts behind. Use an antiseptic on the area where the tick had attached itself. Destroy it quickly and don't give it any chance for survival. Dropping it into alcohol is a good idea.

Removing a Tick Head

You must make sure that the tick's head is pulled out too. So, just ensure while you are pulling the tick out, take its head into the grip of the tweezer. Pull steadily till the tick releases its grip. All precautions must be taken not to squeeze the tick. Any secretions would consequently cause the spread of disease. If the tick is very tiny, scrape it off using a knife blade. Even a needle or a thread could be used around its jaws. If the head is still embedded, use a needle to remove it. Always clean the area with a disinfectant.

How to Prevent Tick bites

Check for Ticks
Since ticks crawl onto the skin, wearing clothes that cover the skin would help. Minimize skin exposure to ensure protection against tick bites. If you have any knowledge about the area being tick-infested, stay away from grass or shrubs. Check for ticks on the skin and in case you see any on your body, remove it quickly. Never touch it with your fingers. Don't squeeze it. Just follow the procedure given above.

Use Sprays or Repellents
Use insect repellent on your clothes if you are going on picnicking in grassy and bushy areas. Use the sprays on the items you plan to use outdoors. Spray it on your bags, shoes or clothing. This would help in preventing tick bites to a great extent. Every now and then, check your skin.

Wash Your Pets
Make sure you wash your pets with an anti-tick soap. Once you are back from grassy areas, giving your pet a bath would help. Check for ticks and remove them before they attach themselves firmly onto the skin. Good hygiene is essential. It is advisable to take all these steps to prevent your pets from contracting any tick-borne disease.

These were simple instructions on getting rid of ticks. If you ever find a tick on your pet, follow the aforementioned instructions. Since prevention is better than cure, do follow the necessary precautionary measures to get rid of these parasites.