Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Ticks lurk not only in forests, but also in city parks. Therefore, even a weekend walk may end up with a tick bite. You need to know how to remove them properly, because ticks can transmit serious diseases.
Remove the tick and be aware of the danger
According to experts, in Poland, approx 15 percent ticks are carriers of pathogens seriously ill. The most dangerous of these is tick-borne encephalitis, but you can get vaccinated against it. Lyme disease can also be serious. The disease is treated with antibiotics, but many people go undiagnosed over the years, causing serious complications.
The sooner the tick is removed, the lower the likelihood of Lyme disease and meningitis.
Currently, we can find a lot on the market instruments with which we can remove the tick, available at the pharmacy. These are various pens, lasso, suction cups and removal cards. If you have a problem with removing the tick yourself – immediately see a doctor who will do it for you.
See: Symptoms of Lyme disease – cutaneous, neurological, joint and cardiac
Step by step tick removal process
Care should be exercised when removing a tick as incorrect removal of this arachnid may increase the risk of infection with potentially transmissible diseases.
- Use the tweezers to firmly grasp the tick, preferably as close to the skin as possible.
- Then, using a firm and smooth motion, pull it out along the puncture axis. Remember to completely remove the tick together with the head.
- After removing the parasite, disinfect the skin and wash your hands (preferably with an antibacterial agent).
- After removing the tick watch the skin in and around the injection site for about 30 days.
- If the so-called migratory erythema or high temperature, consult a doctor immediately.
The tick head remained – what next?
It happens that when removing a tick, its head or fragment remains under the skin. In such a situation it is recommended to carefully try to remove the leftovers tweezers or with a sterile needle (like a splinter). If you cannot remove the remaining tick, see a doctor. Tick debris under the skin may pose a risk of infection.
Sometimes, after removing a tick, we can see small remains of it on the skin. In such a situation, it is enough to wash the skin with soap and disinfect the wound, it does not require a doctor’s visit.
Prevent: The most effective remedy for ticks has been found. Research proves it is reliable
Tick removal – don’t do it!
When removing a tick, you should not:
- grab the tick at the place of its swollen abdomen, as this can introduce infected fluid into the body;
- twist the tick, as the head may stay inside;
- Kill the tick with alcohol or nail polish, doing so may lead to a risk of infection.
- remove the tick with bare hands or with nail tongs. In this way, only the abdomen of the tick will be removed, while the head and other fragments will remain inside.
Tick removed, what’s next?
After removing the tick, the skin should be observed for 30 days. Watch for the appearance of:
- wandering erythema: is the first disturbing symptom indicative of Lyme disease. At first, it resembles a red spot that gradually grows larger. Of course, many people may not have any skin symptoms despite Lyme disease;
- fever and flu-like symptoms in the form of muscle pain, joint pain or coughing: these may indicate HGA or anaplasmosis or tick-borne encephalitis.
If the above symptoms occur, consult a doctor immediately.
Read also:
- Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis
- The most dangerous tick-borne diseases. What are the symptoms?
- Tick nymphs are dangerous. We can find them everywhere
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.