How to remove a tick: step by step, and what to do afterwards
To remove a tick, grip it with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool as close to the skin as possible and pull upwards slowly and steadily, without squeezing or crushing it. Then clean the bite and keep an eye on it. That is the advice of the NHS and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Below you will find the steps, what not to do, what to do if the head stays in, and when to see your GP.
In this article
How do you remove a tick?
You remove a tick in four steps, as described by the NHS and UKHSA:
- Take fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull upwards slowly and firmly, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick.
- Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water, and dispose of the tick.
NHS inform, the health information service for Scotland, also advises applying an antiseptic cream to the skin around the bite. To get rid of the tick, NHS inform suggests wrapping it tightly in tape and putting it in an outside bin.
Should you twist or pull a tick out?
A tick should be pulled straight out, not twisted: the NHS, NHS inform and UKHSA all describe one slow, steady pull upwards, away from the skin, and none of them advises twisting. UKHSA explains why the pull should be slow and firm: mouthparts left in the skin can cause a local infection. Do not squeeze or crush its body while you pull.
Tweezers, a tick removal tool or a tick card: what should you use?
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool: according to UKHSA, these are the safest way to remove a tick. The tips need to be fine enough to grip the tick right at the skin, not around its swollen body. You can buy tick removal tools from some pharmacies, vets and pet shops, says the NHS; NHS inform adds outdoor stores. Tick cards are sold too. Whatever you use, the rule is the same: grip close to the skin and pull slowly.
What if you have no tweezers or tick removal tool?
Get fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool as soon as you can, for example from a pharmacy. The NHS and UKHSA only describe removal with tweezers or a tool, so we do not recommend other methods. If you often walk in woodland, moorland or long grass, NHS inform suggests keeping a tick removal device with you.
What should you not do when removing a tick?
Do not burn, smother or squeeze the tick. NHS inform says: do not use a cigarette end, a match head, alcohol or petroleum jelly on a tick. The NHS adds that you should not squeeze or crush the tick while you pull it out. The NHS and UKHSA describe only one method: pulling the tick out with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool.
What if the head of the tick stays in your skin?
Usually you can leave it. According to NHS inform, mouthparts that break off in the skin and cannot be removed may cause irritation, but should come out by themselves in time. UKHSA notes that mouthparts left in the skin can cause a local infection, and advises cleaning the bite area and monitoring it for several weeks for any changes. Contact your GP promptly if you feel unwell with flu-like symptoms or develop a spreading circular red rash.
How quickly should you remove a tick?
As soon as possible. The NHS and UKHSA both say to remove a tick as soon as you find it. NHS inform explains that this helps to reduce the risk of a tick-borne infection such as Lyme disease. Ticks attach to the skin and feed for several days before dropping off, says UKHSA, and a tick bite is not always painful, so you may only notice it when you see it.
What should you do after a tick bite?
Clean the bite, then watch the area for several weeks. That is the UKHSA advice. Make a note of the date and where on your body you were bitten, so you can tell your GP if you become unwell later. According to the NHS, the chance of getting ill is low, and you do not need to do anything else unless you notice a rash or become unwell. NHS inform adds that you do not need to speak to your GP if you have been bitten and have no symptoms.
You can also send the tick to the Tick Surveillance Scheme of UKHSA, which records where ticks are found in the UK.
Is a red, itchy tick bite normal, and when should you see a GP?
A small red lump where you were bitten is common. NHS inform says a tick bite is not usually painful, but can cause swelling, itchiness, blistering or bruising. A spreading round or oval rash is different: it can be an early sign of Lyme disease.
According to the NHS, the rash may look like a bullseye on a dartboard, is not usually hot or itchy, and usually appears within 1 to 4 weeks, although it can appear up to 3 months after the bite. On black or brown skin it can be less obvious and may look more like a bruise.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you have been bitten by a tick, or have been in an area where ticks live in the past 3 months, and you:
- have a round or oval rash;
- feel unwell with flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature or feeling hot, cold or shivery, a headache, muscle and joint pain, or tiredness.
Tell them you were bitten by a tick or have recently been in woodland or long grass. UKHSA points out that you may not always remember being bitten.
What should you do if your child has a tick?
Remove a tick from your child in exactly the same way as from an adult: fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool, close to the skin, pull upwards slowly. UKHSA reports that children are commonly bitten on the head or neck, while adults are commonly bitten on the legs. NHS inform therefore advises checking children's skin for ticks, especially the head and neck, including the scalp. If you are worried about a child under 5 after a bite, the NHS says to call 111 for advice.
How do you remove a tick from a dog or cat?
You remove a tick from a dog or cat the same way as from a person: grip the tick close to the skin with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool and pull it out slowly, without squeezing. Check your pets after walks too, as UKHSA advises; NHS inform adds that you should check that pets do not bring ticks into your home in their fur. For tick treatment for your dog or cat, ask your vet.
How do you check yourself for ticks after being outdoors?
Check your clothes and skin when you are outdoors and again when you get home. UKHSA names the places where ticks are often found: skin folds, armpits, groin, the waistband area, the back of the neck and the hairline. Bites can occur on any part of the body, and more than one tick can be attached at a time. Ticks range in size from a tiny freckle to a baked bean when fully fed, so look closely. Tick season is usually between March and October, says NHS inform, but it can last longer.
How do you avoid the next tick bite?
Stay on clear paths and cover your skin. The NHS and NHS inform advise:
- stay on paths and avoid long grass when you walk outdoors;
- wear a long-sleeved shirt and tuck your trousers into your socks;
- wear light-coloured clothing, so you can spot ticks and brush them off;
- check your skin, your clothes, your children and your pets after being outdoors.
What a tick looks like and when ticks are active is in our guide what a tick looks like and how to avoid tick bites.
Sources: NHS (Lyme disease; Insect bites and stings), NHS inform (Tick bites), UK Health Security Agency (Be tick aware leaflet). This article gives general information and does not replace advice from your GP or NHS 111.
