REMOVE TICKS  PROMPTLY 

1.      Grasp the tick’s mouthparts against the skin, using pointed tweezers

2.      BE PATIENT – The long mouthpart is covered with barbs, making removal difficult and time consuming.

3.      Pull steadily until the tick can be eased out of the skin.

4.      DO NOT pull back sharply, as this may tear the mouthparts from the body of the tick, leaving them embedded in the skin. If this happens, do not panic. Embedded mouthparts are comparable to having a splinter in your skin and do not transmit Lyme disease.

5.      DO NOT squeeze or crush the body of the tick because this may force infective body fluids from the tick and into the skin.

6.      DO NOT apply substances such as petroleum jelly, finger nail polish, or a lighted match to the tick while it is attached. These materials may agitate the tick and cause it to force more infective fluid into the skin.

7.      Following removal of the tick, wash the wound site and your hands with soap and water.

8.      Observe the bite site for any signs of an expanding red rash over the next 1-2 weeks. Small red reactions less than the size of a dime are common after tick bites and do not represent Lyme disease.