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Lyme Disease Foundation - tick removalFamily Camping Advice and Tips

How To Remove Ticks

From David Sweet,
Your Guide to Camping.
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We frequently come in contact with insects when camping. Ticks are one insect found in the woods which may carry diseases. Therefore, they should be removed immediately, from both people and pets.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 5 minutes

Here's How:

  1. Use a small pointed tweezers to grasp the tick by its mouth parts. Tug gently until the tick lets go.
  2. After removing the tick, wash the area with soap and water and use antiseptic on the bite AND the tweezers.
  3. Save the tick in a small via and mark the date and victim's name. In case of infection, this will help in diagnosing health problems due to the tick bite.
  4. Watch the bite and the victim's general health and see a doctor if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

Tips:

  1. Use preventive measures when in tick areas: cover exposed skin, check for ticks when coming indoors, use tick repellents.
  2. Be sure to check your pets frequently and use tick-control products that are approved by your vet.
  3. Note: the Lyme Disease Foundation advises against burning or smothering ticks to remove them as this may cause the tick to release infected fluid.
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