How NOT to remove ticks (and how to do it right)

Lyme disease - reduce your risk!

Do you know how to remove ticks from your body? Removing blacklegged ticks promptly can reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease, but it’s important to do it correctly. Irritating or killing the tick while removing it can cause it to vomit bacteria into your body, increasing your risk of Lyme disease. Here’s what NOT to do:

WRONG:

Burning the tick off with a lighter/cigarette.

WRONG:

Smothering the tick with nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol or Vaseline.

WRONG:

Squeezing or twisting the tick.
Remove ticks using tweezers or a tick key

THE RIGHT WAY TO REMOVE TICKS:

So what’s the right way to remove ticks? Follow these steps:

    1. Using a pair of tweezers, gently, but firmly grasp the tick
    2. Tug the tick straight up
    3. Put the tick in a sealed container
    4. Bring the tick to CK Public Health–Clinic Services at the Wish Centre (177 King Street East, Chatham) for identification

Questions? Visit ckphu.ca/lyme for more information about Lyme disease. Additional information about Lyme disease is available here.