Tips On How To Remove Ticks, And Why
It's important to know how to remove ticks in the proper manner, as not doing so can quite possibly result in infection or disease. Ticks are rather nasty little creatures in that they don't merely bite, but sink their entire head, up to the neck so to speak, under your skin and feast. The tick is an arachnid, not an insect, simply meaning it has 8 rather than 6 legs. As far as most of us are concerned it is simply a bug, and one that is best avoided.
The important things to know when attempting to find out how to remove ticks are, first that the entire tick needs to be removed, not just the part sticking out, and second, it is bacteria residing in and on the tick and not the tick itself that can cause infection and disease, so it's important not to touch the tick with the bare fingers if possible.
Ticks go thorough several stages in their life cycle, often spending their youth (as larvae, and tiny ticks) feeding mainly on small mammals. Adult ticks for the most part seek out larger animals, especially deer, but also humans. Ticks will reside in woody and brushy areas, just waiting to hitch a ride on something warm-blooded passing by, be it a deer, you, or your dog. The steps in how to remove ticks applies to both dogs or other pets and humans.
How To Remove Ticks - The best instrument for removing a tick is a pair of tweezers. Once the tick has been located, grasp it with the tweezers as closely to your (or your dog's) skin as possible. Grasp the tick gently, not out of any love for the tick, but simply to keep it in one piece, which must be your goal. Once the tick is in your firm but gentle grasp, pull gently but steadily. Avoid a sharp or sudden movement, or you'll end up with a headless tick in your tweezers which can spell trouble. Don't twist the tweezers either, as twisting will invariably separate the tick's head from its abdomen. You want to take a close look at the tick once it's out to make certain it's all there. If it isn't, it's a good idea to see a doctor right away. Take the tick with you, not in your pocket, but in a suitable container where it won't come into contact with anything. In the event of a bacterial infection, the clinic or laboratory will have something to work with, especially if the tick is a carrier of either Rocky Mountain spotted fever or Lyme disease.
When preparing to remove a tick, it's important to wear gloves, or if they are not handy, it's important to wash your hands thoroughly if your fingers have come into contact with the tick. Wash the tweezers as well once you're done with them. It doesn't take too many bacteria to gain a foothold in your system, or your pet's.
About Lyme Disease - There are several species of ticks, the two species predominant in the U.S. being Ixodes pacificus, found mainly on the west coast, and Ixodes scapularis, found in much of the rest of the country. Both species are carriers of Lyme disease. Lyme disease usually manifests itself as a skin rash, most often first appearing at the location of the tick bite, then slowly expanding, usually in a circular manner. The rash may then spread to other parts of the body at which time flu-like symptoms may develop. If not treated at an early stage, Lyme disease can affect the joints, causing swelling and pain. If not treated, the affected person may develop chronic arthritis. This can be the case in about 15% of individuals who have not been treated for the disease at some point. It's important then, that if a rash should appear, especially if flu-like symptoms follow, to get medical attention.
Knowing how to remove ticks is important. Just as important is knowing what to watch for once a tick has been removed.