Ticks: Know How to Spot Them and Remove Them From the Skin

Lyme disease is a big concern this year, so everyone should know how to spot ticks and 
what to do about them. Here is more information about ticks that might be found 
outdoors.

Where You Can Find Ticks

Before discussing what happens when a tick bites you and how to remove it, you need 
to know a little more about the basics of ticks. Ticks are very small insets, often going 
unnoticed until it bites a person or an animal. They are sometimes as small as a 
pinhead, so keep that in mind. This insect is common in the U.S. and will only live 
outdoors. They are often found in piles of leaves, grass, and shrubs, as well as trees. 
Forested areas like campsites and hiking trails will see ticks more often.

How to know You Have Been Bitten

A common question asked about ticks is how to know when a tick has bitten you. You 
should know that for the most part, ticks are not going to harm you. However, they can 
carry Lyme disease, which is becoming close to an epidemic in the U.S. right now. 
Therefore, the more you know about the signs, the sooner you can remove the lodged 
tick and get proper treatment. 

Some common symptoms of a tick bite include having pain or swelling in the area 
where the bite occurred, a blistered area of skin, red rash, burning sensation, or even 
difficulty breathing. Once you feel like you have trouble breathing, the symptoms have 
worsened and you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Diseases related to tick 
bites might cause other symptoms, including headache, nausea, weakness, chills, 
fever, or joint pain.

Tips For Removing Ticks

If you have any of these symptoms, you should first closely examine your body to look 
for the tick and remove it. Also look at your pets closely when they are outside and 
exhibit signs of pain or discomfort. Ticks lodge themselves in the skin, where you might 
just see part of the tick close to the skin’s surface. What you need to do is locate the 
tick, then remove it with tweezers. This must be done right or you won’t remove it 
completely.

Get a hold of the tick with tweezers held close to your skin, pulling it in a slow, upward 
motion. Do this slowly and with a good amount of pressure, but don’t twist it. This could 
cause the mouth of the tick to remain lodged in the skin. Clean the area thoroughly and 
put a bandage over it.


