July 4, 2025 • 7 mins
Story at-a-glance
- The safest way to remove a tick is with fine-tipped tweezers, gripping it close to your skin and pulling upward slowly without twisting or yanking
- Trying to dig out leftover tick parts causes more harm than good; your body will naturally expel them, similar to how it handles a splinter
- Using the wrong removal method, such as squeezing a tick or applying petroleum jelly or heat, increases your risk of infection by forcing harmful bacteria into your skin
- Prevention starts before you go outside: wearing protective clothing, using natural repellents and performing daily tick checks drastically lowers your risk of disease
- Tools like lint rollers, proper tick disposal methods and documenting bites with photos help you stay proactive and avoid complications from tick-borne illnesses
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