How to Remove a Tick [DermTV.com Epi #512]

There are all sorts of different "remove a tick quick" schemes floating around, ranging from burning them to smothering them. But do they really work? In this episode of DermTV, Dr. Schultz discusses the different ways to remove a tick, as well as the one safe way to remove a tick that he recommends.

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[Transcript]

Seeing a tick's back legs waving at you while it dines on your blood is not only gross and scary, but after you get over your panic, what do you do? At the speed of the Internet you turn to Google. Good luck! Removing an embedded, feasting tick is no walk in the park... Which of course may be just how you picked up your tick! So let me tell you how.

Years ago, to remove a tick, people thought that if you smothered the tick with vaseline or nail polish, the tick would withdraw and disengage to get air. But smothering it actually increases the chance of infection by making the tick regurgitate its lyme infected stomach contents into your skin.

Another antiquated sure to fail, tick removal method was to burn the end of the embedded tick with the flame from a match. Hmmmm. Let's see. The tick is less than an eighth of an inch long and is attached to the skin and you're going to put a roaring flame at the end on the tick... Bet you can figure out who really got burned.

So now most people advise a simple, straight-forward technique:

"With tweezers, grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible. Pull the tick straight up and out. Pull gently until the tick lets go. Don't twist or jerk the tick suddenly, because this may break off the tick's head or mouth. Do not leave any part of the tick in your skin."

I must admit that using the techniques I just discussed, and others, I have never successfully coaxed a tick to withdraw, give up dinner, pick up a white flag or simply disengage. All efforts at BEST have resulted in my removing most of the tick, but the mouth has always remained embedded in the skin. That then immediately invoked plan "B": Out with local anesthesia to numb the tick embedded skin and then with a scalpel blade, I easily remove the tick and the tiny piece of skin the mouth piece is stuck in. I send the body and mouth piece to the lab to see if it's a lyme tick, and if it is, then to find out whether it contains the lyme germ, called Borrelia burgdorferi

Try saying that 10 times fast.

This is your take away: Unless you're very lucky or just know how to woo a tick, if you have an embedded one, don't try to remove it yourself. Go to your doctor or the Emergency Room. Leaving any part of the tick in your skin increases the chance of getting lyme disease if the tick is infected, as does leaving the tick in your skin over night.

Just admit defeat and get help... otherwise the tick will win.

[ABOUT DERMTV]

Everyone can have beautiful, healthy, and younger looking skin, and DermTV, the Internet's daily skincare video show, will demonstrate how by revealing expert tips and techniques and by providing real solutions for real skincare issues.

Skincare (whether cosmetic or medical) previously required a trip to your dermatologist or a shopping spree at the pharmacy. And that's if you have a trusted nearby dermatologist or a local informed pharmacy. But not anymore. We at DermTV are committed to making best-in-class dermatology and skincare guidance accessible to everyone, anytime, at your computer.

Every weekday, our host, Dr. Neal Schultz, one of New York's most trusted and respected dermatologists, teaches skincare's most timely and timeless issues. Topics include: the best at home techniques and new technology for facial rejuvenation, preventing and fixing sun damage from wrinkles to skin cancer, breaking news in dermatology, general skincare topics, and more.

[birdybirdforever]

No, do NOT waste time going to the doctor or waiting for hours in the emergency room. Remove the tick yourself with tweezers as SOON as you find it on you. Do not squeeze the tick's body - grasp at the head as close to the skin as possible. Pull out slowly but firmly until it comes off. If it leaves mouth parts inside you, this does NOT increase your risk of Lyme infection. The mouthparts do not contain the Lyme bacteria - it is in the gut of the tick. Lyme is transmitted when the tick finishes feeding (usually after 24 to 48 hours) and regurgitates a little to get its head unstuck. If you get mouthparts left in your skin, they will either work themselves out on their own, or worst case scenario, you have to get them removed by a doctor if they cause a regular, non-Lyme foreign body infection.

[SarongGoddess]

I LIKE this guy's presentation & style!!!

[GrnArrow]

I had a tick bite me a couple weeks ago.  He had only been on me for a couple hours before I found him starting to bite into my skin.  I grabbed a hold of it and yanked him out.  I promptly killed the tick.  I watched the bite for any swelling or any signs of infection and I was lucky this tick was not a disease carrier as I cannot afford a doctor's visit.

[HotaruZoku]

A doctor tells us the best thing to do is go to a doctor.

Stunning turn of events.

Just once I want a doctor who says "You know What? You're an adult. You really don't me on this one."

[mrgumri]

Today just removed 12 ticks from my dog, in less than 5 hours. I simply used my finger nails as close to the mouth as possible & pulled them out. Got all of their mouths (saw like mandible out). I've read if the tick's on loose skin, (about 2-3 inches) hold the skin up for about 10-15 seconds, then remove the tick. This worked pretty well on ticks near loose skin. The tick didn't "back out" but, it did come out with my dog's skin in its mouth. I've saved them all in an air-tight jar which I filled with rubbing Alcohol or you can use Purell in the jar. If my dog shows signs of fever, won't eat or shows pain when he walks, I'll take the ticks to my Vet to check for the 3 different diseases, ticks carry. The diseases are NOT just Lyme disease.

[ipKonfig]

Why not just explain to us how the ER/Doctor would remove it so we could do the same? If I live 100 miles from the closest hospital this video didn't help me

[Schiavoni]

After the tick has a blood feast, I will feast on your insurance and wallet. Send it to my lab and get a kick back

[davidcaudillo]

Are you kidding me? Going to the vet is the best answer? My dogs get ticks on a weekly basis, there is no way I am going to the vet every time!

[AmnaMubashar]

is amlactin good for exfoliating face like good cream ? and is kojic acid soap good for scars

[jblanche]

actually years ago they used cigs to do it...seen it done many times....people are walking around today!

[GeorginaLaraBooth]

Good video! What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

[keithshultz]

what if it's all the way in and only the 2 back legs are out and a hospital said to just leave it in

[snoop]

Did he just say go to the doctor or emergency room wtf. I get ticks every summer go outsid people. Holy crap I thought this mite help. No help at all.

[alwaysdizzy]

Go to the ER or doctor and wait way to long, or Deal with a lil burning and put hot sauce on the area around the tick? Ill do it my way. Works great, costs less, and its like putting peroxide on a cut but not near as bad.

[oscardean]

Never mind I see now why this video has so few likes despite the view count.

Contrary to what people are saying in the comments do NOT use a lighter to remove it, doing so will scare the tick and it’ll regurgitate into your wound risking infection or even Lyme disease depending on the type of tick, so DO NOT use fire or ice etc.

To remove the tick use clean/sterilized tweezers and put them as close to the skin as possible and slowly but steadily pull the tick out in a straight motion.

Apparently twisting it around as you pull doesn’t help, and if anything it increases the chance of the mouth parts or even the head getting stuck.

Once you’ve removed it disinfect with rubbing alcohol (although hand sanitizer works too) or use soapy water.

If the head is still embedded it does NOT increase chance of Lyme disease contrary to what this actor says. If it doesn’t detach within 30 hours of the tick removal seek professional help to get it out. There is no chance of disease, the worry at this point would be infection, although you should be fine by washing the bite with alcohol or water & soap.

Ideally you should already be vaccinated against TBE (tick-born encephalitis) so it shouldn’t be too big of a deal if you get a tick.


If your dog has a tick, it’s basically the same procedure. Pull it out with tweezer as close to the skin as possible and disinfect with water and soap. Animals have a lower risk of contracting diseases from ticks so you shouldn’t panic.

I hope this helps whoever stumbles upon this terrible video. YouTube removing the dislike button is still one of the worst decisions they’ve ever made.




Note: if you get a rash that looks like a bullseye where the bite was, if your lymph nodes (area by your neck) swells or if you get a fever following the tick bite, these could be signs of Lyme disease and you should seek help AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to prevent any harm.

If a weird mold-looking white substance/pus leaks out from your wound and it swells that’s a sign of infection and you should seek a doctor IMMEDIATELY too.

Persistent itching in the bite area without any of the aforementioned symptoms though is likely just an allergic reaction and you should be fine after a few days, but I’m no medical professional so seek advice from one and maybe get checked out to see if you have allergies against ticks.

[makrsk]

A drop of essential peppermint oil and the tic will remove itself!

[zyruhjn]

I just came home from school and my leg started stinging. I have to walk through a trail through the forest to get home, so I felt it and saw blood and my skeep coming off so then I got a wet paper towl, wiped it then the tick came up and was dead. I got it off with mt fingers and washed it in the sink. I don't know what else to do but thats all I did and got scared what it was...

[redskin]

Had a tick deeply in the arm, used wound ointment placed on the red spot caused by the tick, soon the tick 'melted' and his 'black stuff' just ran out of the arm.

[vales]

Thank you so much my cousin recently had a tick and it was a scary thing for her, we didnt know what it was at the time but I'm glad that now I know

[ilmele]

help me Doctor Nielshulz i' m in italy, my state will pay for your flight!! you fuking scared me!!XD