How to Remove a Tick Safely in Australia
Finding a tick attached to you, your child or your pet can be frightening. The first thing to remember is: don’t panic.
Knowing how to remove a tick safely is important for every Australian, particularly if you live, work or spend time in a tick-prone area.
Not all ticks carry diseases that can make you sick. What is important is knowing how to deal with a tick correctly and having the right tick-removal tool available when you need it.
At Tick Awareness Australia, education has always been at the heart of what we do. Being Tick Aware means knowing how to prevent tick bites, how to recognise them and what to do when you find a tick.
Why Correct Tick Removal Matters
Ticks are blood-sucking parasites that attach themselves to people and animals to feed.
A tick anchors itself into the skin using its mouthparts, including a serrated feeding structure called the hypostome. The tick's body itself is not buried beneath your skin.
It is important not to squeeze, burn, twist or unnecessarily aggravate an attached tick.
Correct technique and the right removal tool can help avoid squeezing or tearing the tick during removal.
How to Remove a Tick with Fine-Pointed Tweezers
If using fine-pointed tick-removal tweezers:
1. Don't panic.
Deal with the tick calmly and carefully.
2. Never pull a tick out with your fingers.
Using your fingers can squeeze the tick's body.
3. Position fine-pointed tweezers correctly.
Grip the tick as close to the surface of the skin as possible, near its mouthparts rather than around its body.
4. Pull steadily upward.
Use steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick.
5. Clean the area.
After removal, disinfect the bite area and thoroughly wash your hands.
6. Clean your tick-removal tool.
Disinfect the tweezers before and after use so they are ready when you need them again.
Why Ordinary Household Tweezers Can Be a Problem
Not all tweezers are designed for removing ticks.
Traditional household tweezers are often blunt. This can make it difficult to grasp a tick close to the skin without squeezing its body, particularly when dealing with very small ticks.
This is why having a purpose-designed tick-removal tool in your first-aid or tick kit is important.
TickEase has a fine-pointed end designed for precision removal and a slotted scoop for larger ticks, allowing one tool to be used for ticks of different sizes on both people and pets.
What If Part of the Tick's Mouthpiece Remains?
Sometimes part of the tick's mouthpiece, or hypostome, may remain in the skin.
The tick's entire body has not become embedded beneath the skin. Clean and disinfect the area and keep an eye on it.
If you are concerned about the bite site or develop symptoms, seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
What About Larvae and Nymph Ticks?
Ticks can be extraordinarily small.
Larvae and nymphs can be difficult to detect, particularly after gardening, bushwalking, camping or spending time in areas where ticks are prevalent.
People can sometimes encounter multiple tiny ticks at once, resulting in significant itching and discomfort.
This is another reason tick checks are so important.
After spending time outdoors in tick habitat, carefully check yourself, your children and your pets. Pay particular attention to areas where ticks can easily hide.
When Should You Seek Medical Help After a Tick Bite?
Always take a reaction to a tick bite seriously.
If you experience signs of an allergic or anaphylactic reaction following a tick bite, seek urgent medical assistance immediately.
If you develop unusual symptoms after a tick bite, or if you are concerned about the bite or removal, speak with your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional.
People with a known history of severe allergic reactions to ticks should follow the medical advice and emergency plan provided by their healthcare professional.
Keep a Tick-Removal Tool Ready
Ticks don't make appointments.
They can be encountered while gardening, bushwalking, camping, walking the dog or simply spending time in your own backyard.
Keep a dedicated Tick Kit at home and consider another one in your car or outdoor equipment.
Having the right equipment available means you don't have to start searching for something suitable after discovering a tick.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Being prepared and educated is one of the best defences we have.
BE TICK AWARE — because it only takes one bite.
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.