Tick's
mouthparts have reverse harpoon-like barbs, designed to penetrate
and attach to skin. Ticks secrete a cement-like substance that
helps them adhere firmly to the host. If you find that you or
your pet has been bitten by a tick, it is important to remove
it properly.
Tick
Removal Procedure:
- 1)
Use fine-point tweezers to grasp the tick at the place of attachment,
as close to the skin as possible.
- 2)
Gently pull the tick straight out.
- 3)
Place the tick in a small vial labeled with the victim's name,
address and the date.
- 4)
Wash your hands, disinfect the tweezers and bite site.
- 5)
Mark your calendar with the victim's name, place of tick attachment
on the body, and general health at the time.
- 6)
Call your doctor to determine if treatment is warranted.
- 7)
Watch the tick-bite site and your general health for signs or
symptoms of a tick-borne illness. Make sure you mark any changes
in your health status on your calendar.
- 8)
If possible, have the tick identified/tested by a lab, your local
health department, or veterinarian.
If
the mouthparts break off in the skin - should I dig them out?
We
have heard two competing opinions about this.
One
viewpoint states that the mouthparts can cause a secondary infection,
and should be removed as if it was a splinter.
Another
viewpoint was shared with us by a pediatrician in a hyperendemic
area. He states that parents can do more harm by trying to hold
down a child and dig out the mouthparts with a needle. He instructs
his families to leave the mouthparts, and that they will come
out on their own as the skin sloughs off.
CAUTIONS:
- Children
should be taught to seek adult help for tick removal.
- If
you must remove the tick with your fingers, use a tissue or leaf
to avoid contact with infected tick fluids.
- Do
not prick, crush or burn the tick as it may release infected
fluids or tissue.
- Do
not try to smother the tick (e.g. petroleum jelly, nail polish)
as the tick has enough oxygen to complete the feeding.
