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Removing a tick

Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove a tick.

  • Grab the tick as close to its mouth (the part that is stuck in your skin) as you can. The body of the tick will be above your skin.
  • Do not grab the tick around its bloated belly. You might push infected fluid from the tick into your body if you squeeze it.
  • Pull the tick straight out until its mouth lets go of your skin. Do not twist or "unscrew" the tick. This may separate the head from the body.
Primary Medical Reviewer William M. Green, MD
- Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD
- Emergency Medicine
Last Updated January 17, 2008

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: January 17, 2008
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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