Four steps. The whole procedure takes under a minute, and doing it correctly matters more than doing it fast. Not certain it's a tick? Check it against the lookalikes first — it takes ten seconds.
As close to the skin as possible, grip the tick's head — not the body. Never use heat, vaseline, or nail polish; they make the tick regurgitate.
Steady, even pressure. No twisting or jerking — you want the mouthparts out intact. If they break off, remove them with tweezers too.
Wash the bite with soap and rubbing alcohol. Photograph the tick on a coin for scale — species and engorgement help your doctor assess risk.
An expanding bullseye rash, fever, fatigue, or joint aches mean call a doctor immediately. Mention the tick bite — early Lyme treatment is highly effective. Day-by-day details, including the 72-hour preventive-dose window: our tick bite timeline.