The seven rules of tick removal

  1. Avoid imprudent panic reactions! Don´t scratch, pull or rub the tick off!
  2. Remove the tick as soon as possible, as the longer a tick feeds the higher the risk of infectious transmission.
  3. Avoid squeezing or crushing the tick during removal. If no Tickgripper is available, lift out the tick with cannula (should be done by a specialist).
  4. Disinfect the bite wound. Warning! Disinfection is not sufficient to hinder infectious disease transmission!
  5. Observe tick bite. A very quick developing redness around the tick bite usually is caused by a local body's reaction to the foreign protein of the tick. An erythema migrans (a variable rash or reddening of the skin due to Lyme disease) normally occurs a few days to weeks or even longer after the tick bite.
  6. Consult your physician should pain, swelling, rash or other signs of infection or illness develop.
  7. Save the removed tick for sending in if necessary.

 

Never squeeze or crush a tick during removal!

 

Such can cause a tick to "regurgitate" stomach contents which may be infectious and transmit disease.