Buzz
If you find a tick on yourself, it's completely understandable to want to immediately get rid of it. The instinct to feel like you want to burn it off and run away is natural. But before you go that extreme, I’m happy to say that there is actually a safe, hands-off method to remove the tick. In fact, you have more than one option to do so.
Forget about using matches, soap, or alcohol. While they may cause the tick to detach, they can also force it to regurgitate its stomach contents into your bloodstream, which is both unpleasant and increases your risk of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme. What you really need is the right equipment. Make sure you have it on hand, and it doesn’t even cost much—each item is under $10.
Personally, I prefer the Tick Key. I’ve used it myself when I was a bit panicked (I acknowledge the importance of arachnids and insects in the ecosystem, but touching them is not my favorite). Using it is simple: position the larger end of the key over the tick, then slide it to let the tick get caught in the smaller end. That’s all it takes—the tick is removed.
If done correctly, applying pressure to the skin should remove the entire tick. If you're like me and a little squeamish, it’s possible the tick's mouthparts might stay behind in the skin. Don’t worry, they’re microscopic and not attached to anything harmful anymore, so it’s not a major issue. These tiny mouthparts will naturally work their way out as the bite heals. Once the tick is off your skin, you’re finished.
My vet recommends using the Tick Twister, as it’s much easier to maneuver without getting caught in fur. Simply slide the forked end around the tick, then twist it until it detaches.
Other brands like Ticked Off offer similar functionality. If you’re not too squeamish, you can carefully remove the tick close to the skin using fine-tipped tweezers, whether they're specially designed tick tweezers or a regular pair that's small enough.
Once you've removed the tick, drop it into a jar of alcohol to ensure it’s fully dead. I typically place it in a bag so it can't escape, then dispose of it in the trash; you can also wrap it in masking tape as an alternative solution.
To prevent this from happening again, check yourself for ticks daily. A quick shower can help rinse them off before they attach. If you've just come back from a hike and feel like you might be covered in ticks, use a lint roller to remove them until you can shower.
