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Reviewed 7/3/2023
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<h2>Remove a tick in 4 easy steps</h2>
There are more than 90 different types of ticks in the U.S. Ticks can carry disease, so it's a good idea to avoid them entirely. But if one bites you, make sure you remove it correctly.

To remove a tick, grab a pair of fine-tipped tweezers, and follow these four steps. 

STEP 1

Grasp the tick right next to your skin&mdash;as close to its mouth as you can get. 

STEP 2

Pull the tick straight out with a slow, steady motion. Don't twist or crush it. 

STEP 3

Save the tick in a jar for identification in case of infection. 

STEP 4

Use soap and water to clean your hands and the skin around the bite. 

DON'T USE THESE! 

These tools aren't effective for removing a tick: 
<ul>
 <li>Alcohol.</li>
 <li>Petroleum jelly.</li>
 <li>Heat.</li>
 <li>Fingers.</li>
 <li>Nail polish.</li>
</ul>
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF:
<ul>
 <li>Part of the tick's head or mouth remains embedded in your skin.</li>
 <li>You notice any signs of infection, such as:</li>
 <ul>
 <li>A rash.</li>
 <li>Fever, headache or other flu-like symptoms.</li>
 <li>Joint pain or redness.</li>
 <li>Swollen lymph nodes.</li>
 </ul>
</ul>
</div>

Sources
<ul>
 <li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Preventing Tick Bites." <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_people.html" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/avoid/on_people.html</a>.</li>
 <li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Tick Removal." <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html">https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html</a>.</li>
 <li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Ticks." <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html">https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html</a>.</li>
 <li>MedlinePlus. "Tick Removal." <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007211.htm" target="_blank">https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007211.htm</a>.</li>
 <li>Purdue University. "Ticks."&nbsp;<a href="https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publichealth/insects/tick.html" target="_blank">https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publichealth/insects/tick.html</a>.</li>
</ul>

How to remove a tick