First and foremost, if you notice that a tick has attached itself to you or your pet, do not panic! However, the majority of ticks do not carry infections. There are various misconceptions that have arisen in the public about how to remove a tick. These beliefs and opinions are often incorrect. It is very important to remove it properly so that the head and mouthparts do not remain in the skin. According to statistics, in Serbia, there are between 30 to 40 percent of infected ticks. Ticks should be removed as soon as possible, within the first 36 hours after the bite, to reduce the likelihood of transmitting infection. Whether the tick has "attacked" a human or an animal, it will most often seek less exposed areas - under the arms and armpits, behind the ear, in the groin area, and skin folds, etc.


Tick bite

A tick bite can sometimes be very dangerous


Procedure for removing a tick

When you spot a tick on your body, it is best to first consult a doctor or veterinarian. If you decide to remove it yourself, do it in the following way:

  • Take a sterile tweezers (the one with a pointed tip is best). Grab the tick as close to the head as possible, right against the skin. The tick must be removed at a straight angle, so that the head and mouthparts do not remain. It is important to pull it out slowly and gently from the skin, without sudden and quick movements.
  • Do not twist or turn the tweezers!
  • Do not hit, crush, or try to kill it!
  • Do not squeeze or grab it by the body! If you squeeze it, it can transmit all the bacteria it carries into your blood.
  • Do not try to remove it with your nails!
  • Do not attempt to remove it with various creams, alcohol, gasoline, lemon, vinegar, etc. Yes, the tick may die or escape, but it gets scared and stressed. This causes the tick to vomit its intestinal contents directly into your blood, which can transmit bacteria or infection.


Removing a tick with tweezers

It is important what and how you use to remove the tick!


Once you remove it, check if the head has remained. It should remain alive, and you will notice this if it continues to move its legs. It is best to keep the tick and take it to a professional who will determine with certainty whether the tick is infected.


What should I do if the tick's head remains in the skin?

Again, do not panic. If the head does remain, it is best to consult a professional doctor to remove it. If you are unable to do so, also try to remove the remainder with sterile tweezers. After that, check with a doctor whether the bite was infected, as the consequences of infection can last for years. It is recommended that the tick not be thrown away, but kept in a container or tissue.

  1. If the tick has an infection, virus, or bacteria, experts will easily determine which bacteria it is through analysis of the tick itself.
  2. Scientists will have more information about possible tick infections in that location, as they can be carriers of various infections.

After you have removed it, disinfect the area of skin where the bite was with alcohol and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly.


Does a tick bite hurt?

Tick bites are painless, and it is very difficult to feel if a tick has bitten you, but you may feel the consequences.


What does a tick bite look like and how long does redness last?

Redness at or around the tick bite site most often spreads in a ring shape and resembles a target. It is a common occurrence, but there is no guarantee that redness will definitely appear.


Redness after a tick bite

Target-shaped redness is a common occurrence after a tick bite


How long can a tick stay on your skin?

From 3 to 10 days, after it has sucked enough blood. Research indicates that in the case of Lyme disease, the risk of transmission is low if the tick is removed within 36 hours. Therefore, generally, Lyme disease can only be contracted after the tick has been on the skin for a longer period.


What is the therapy after a tick bite?

Blood tests may or may not show whether the tick had bacteria, as some symptoms only manifest after several weeks. Therefore, be sure to consult a specialized doctor so that you can be tested with specialized tests.

If it turns out that the tick is not infected and has been on the skin for less than 36 hours, monitoring of the patient's condition continues, but no therapy is given. The doctor will monitor the area on the skin where the tick was for the next 30 or 40 days. The same should be done if any discomfort is felt, such as muscle pain, fatigue, fever, etc. If the tick was infected, therapy usually lasts between 14 and 28 days. The decision on the choice of antibiotics and the duration of treatment should be left to the doctor.


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