How to remove a tick safely

The CDC recommends a single method for tick removal, and it’s the only one backed by evidence. Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to your skin’s surface as possible — right at the mouthparts, not the body. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk, which can cause the mouthparts to break off and stay in the skin. If the mouthparts do break off, leave them alone and let the skin heal; digging for them increases infection risk.

What not to do: The CDC explicitly warns against using petroleum jelly, nail polish, rubbing alcohol, heat from a match or lighter, or any method that tries to “smother” or “burn” the tick off. These methods can cause the tick to regurgitate saliva into the bite, increasing the risk of disease transmission. The goal is to get the tick out quickly and whole — not to kill it first.

After removal, clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Wash your hands too. Put the tick in a sealed bag or container and store it in the freezer. If you develop a rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms in the following weeks, your doctor may want to identify the tick and test it for pathogens.

The timing matters. The CDC notes that transmission risk for Lyme disease is low if the tick has been attached for less than 24 hours, and removal within 36 hours significantly reduces risk. The sooner you find and remove a tick, the safer you are.