How to remove a tick? Ways to get the tick out of the skin

The tick’s mouthpiece pierces the skin and creates a gutter through which anesthetic substances and substances that prevent blood clotting are injected, and with them various microorganisms. It also sucks our blood in the same way, it can drink so much of it that its size will increase as much as 200 times. A tick can bite and infect us at any stage of its development – even as a microscopic larva. A lot of people boast that they pulled out the tick with their nails and I was fine, but it is a sign that they were just lucky. None of these ticks was infected with dangerous bacteria or viruses, and did not cause an allergic reaction or inflammation. Not all ticks infect, but it is estimated that 10 to 40 percent. of them are pathogen carriers. Fortunately, even a bite by such a tick does not have to end in a disease every time. However, you must not delay the removal of a tick stuck in the skin, because the shorter it feeds, the lower the risk of infection.

Lubricating the tick with butter, oil, petroleum jelly or nail polish makes it cut off its air supply. Why is it dangerous? It makes the arachnid vomit, and with them microbes can enter our body. Ticks living in Poland transmit tick-borne encephalitis, Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and rickettsiosis.

When we remove the tick with our nails, we may not catch it close to the skin, and then it is easy to tear it off – part of the arachnid will remain in our body. If we do not have a special device for extracting ticks, such as: a suction cup, a loop, or the so-called card, we can use ordinary tweezers, grab the tick as close as possible to the skin, and then take it out with a slightly arched motion (do not wring it out).

If you smoke cigarettes, you may have the idea of ​​burning the tongs with a lighter. Do not do this. As with trying to lubricate the tick, staining may make the tick vomit and become infected. Tick-borne encephalitis is the most dangerous disease transmitted by these arachnids. You can get vaccinated against it, but booster doses must be given every three years. Symptoms of the disease appear within two weeks and are similar to the flu. In 70-80 percent. cases, it is inhibited in this first phase. In the rest of those infected, the viruses travel into the central nervous system, where they can cause meningitis. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics.

The pressure of the forceps or tweezers on the tick’s abdomen may cause the infected contents that the tick carries through its mouth to be pressed into the body. And this is where infection can occur. We have to observe the place from which we removed the tick for the next few days. You should visit your doctor not only when you get erythema, but also when you notice flu-like symptoms, drowsiness, disturbance in concentration or balance. – Erythema affects only 40 percent of patients – says Marta Supergan-Marwicz from the Biostructure Center of the Chair and Department of General Biology and Parasitology of the Medical University of Warsaw.

The tick’s mouthpiece ends with teeth which attach it to the host’s skin. Therefore, it is best to detach the tick with a strong, firm, one stroke. Gentle movements can keep the teeth of the arachnid in our skin.

After removing the tick, double check that you have completely removed it. «In a situation where during the removal of a tick a large fragment of its body, eg the head, is left – first of all, perform the activities described in the leaflets attached to the purchased tools for removing ticks. Smaller fragments of the tick, which will remain under the skin during removal, usually do not increase the risk of infection, so then you can stop at washing and disinfecting the wound »- advises Dr. Agnieszka Jankowska-Zduńczyk, specialist in family medicine.

Perhaps the tick that bit you was not a carrier of dangerous bacteria and viruses, but just in case, disinfect the wound with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol to remove any pathogens from it.

Research conducted in Warsaw by Marta Supergan-Marwicz from the Biostructure Center of the Chair and Department of General Biology and Parasitology of the Medical University of Warsaw has shown that strollers are exposed to ticks even in the Royal Łazienki Park, the Zoological Garden and many other green areas. – In parks where the grass is often mowed, and the litter is removed and regularly raided, there are fewer ticks – says the biologist. He adds that no mass spraying against ticks is carried out because no poison has been found that would not kill other organisms. Better to prevent than to cure. When going for a walk in the forest or park, remember to wear the right clothes – long legs and covered shoes will make the task a bit more difficult for the parasite. Ticks don’t like synthetic fabrics. They definitely prefer natural fabrics. Therefore, fleece or polyester tracksuits will work better as protection. It’s easier to spot an arachnid on light-colored fabric. We use repellants, preferably containing DEET. Upon your return, take a close look at your armpits, groin areas, behind the ears, neck area, abdomen area, elbows and knees, but also the navel, intimate areas and, in women, under the breasts. In children, ticks can be found all over the body, in adults – only in these places with more delicate skin. And if your dog was with you during the walk, you should also check it.