What to Do If You Find a Lone Star Tick on Your Skin (Step-by-Step Guide)
What you’ll need:
- Fine-tipped tweezers (not blunt ones)
- Rubbing alcohol
- Soap and water
- A small container or ziplock bag (optional, for identification)
The Correct Removal Method:
- Grasp close to the skin. Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Get right at the mouthparts—don’t grab the body.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk—this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.
- Don’t squeeze or crush the tick’s body. Squeezing can force infected fluids back into the bite.
- Clean the bite area thoroughly. Wash with soap and water, then apply rubbing alcohol or an antiseptic.
- Save the tick if possible. Place it in a small container or ziplock bag with a damp cotton ball. If you develop symptoms later, having the tick for identification can be valuable.
What NOT to Do:
❌ Don’t use petroleum jelly, nail polish, or gasoline to “smother” the tick
❌ Don’t use heat (matches, lighters) to try to make it detach
❌ Don’t twist or yank
❌ Don’t squeeze the body
These folk methods actually increase risk by causing the tick to regurgitate into the bite.
Step 2: Clean and Monitor the Bite Site
After removal:
- Clean with soap and water again
- Apply an antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin)
- Mark the date on your calendar
- Take a photo of the bite site (for reference)
Watch for These Signs in the Coming Days and Weeks:
See next page:
