How to safely Remove a tick

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• Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick, as that can cause parts of it to break off and remain in the skin.
• After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.

• It's a good idea to save the tick in a container (such as a small jar or a plastic bag) in case you need to have it identified or tested later. If you're concerned about the tick transmitting Lyme disease or other infections, you can send it to a lab for testing.

Test your tick: https://geneticks.ca/submit-a-tick-for-testing/?gad_source=1

• Over the next few weeks, keep an eye on the bite area and your overall health. Common signs of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease include:
  • A red rash in a "bull’s-eye" pattern
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches
  • Joint pain

Recommendation: If you know you've been bitten by a tick or have had one attached to you, it's advisable to contact a healthcare provider, regardless of whether you know if the tick was "infected," and seek their guidance. 

Typically, it takes between 24 to 48 hours for a tick to transmit infections such as Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses.

• Lyme Disease (caused by Borrelia burgdorferi):
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (caused by Rickettsia rickettsii):
  For Rocky Mountain spotted fever, transmission usually requires the tick to be attached for at least 6 hours.
• Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis:
  These diseases, transmitted by ticks like the black-legged (deer) tick, generally need the tick to be attached for around 24 hours for transmission.
• Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE):
  For TBE, the virus is typically transmitted after the tick has been attached for at least 36 to 48 hours.

The longer a tick remains attached, the higher the risk of transmission.

4. Disposal of the Tick

• To dispose of the tick, place it in a sealed bag or container and throw it away. Do not crush it with your fingers.  

CDC recommends flushing ticks down the toilet. 

However…..Ticks can survive in water for up to 72 hours. This is due to a specialized respiratory system called a plastron, which allows them to breathe through air trapped in their body hairs. Ticks can endure in freshwater, pools, and even oceans for extended periods. Avoid flushing the tick down the toilet.  Instead, burn or pour 100% alcohol directly on them. - I feel bad for saying this, Im aware it sounds very aggressive and inhumane, however they have the power to be extremely destructive - if they are infected.   

Personal experience.

• Wear long sleeves and pants, with white socks over your pants to help spot ticks easily.
• Wrap tape (sticky side out) around your ankles to stop ticks before they can climb upward.
• Ticks tend to hide in warm areas like the groin, buttocks, armpits, and behind the ears.
• Wear a hat to protect your head from ticks.
• Use tick repellents on exposed skin and clothing.
• Check for ticks after being outdoors, and shower as soon as possible.
• Have someone else help check areas you may not be able to see or reach.

If any part of the tick (like its mouthparts) remains embedded in the skin, clean the area thoroughly and monitor it. If you're unsure or concerned, seek medical advice.

Ticks can carry diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and others, so taking prompt action is important!