Tick Removal

[Melaine]

I don't ever pass around forwards, but since we had a tick last week, I hope this will help next time. Hopefully this method works. I HATE ticks.

***I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great, because it works in those places where it's some times difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc

Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball. Swab it for a few seconds (15-20). The tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away.

This technique has worked every time I've used it (and that was frequently), and it's much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me. Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be damaging in any way.

I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say, "It worked!" Please pass on. Everyone needs this helpful hint.***

UPDATE: According to some of the following posts, this might not be a safe method, so use at your own risk!

[DietCokeLover]

Would have never thought of that! Thanks for the tip. (Now just to remember this in the heat of the moment)

[TwinFoxes]

My poor doggies have had their first ticks ever since moving east. Thanks for the tip!

[wendibird22]

Sorry to disappoint but it's an urban legend.

http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/tick.asp

[ThreeofUs]

Here's a step-by-step on the right way to remove ticks:

http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?lic=1&article_set=36502&cat_id=20221


And here is an article (in case anyone is interested) about what not to do and why:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020815/643.html

[billysmommy]

We get a lot of ticks unfortunately because of our yard and last summer we bought a tick remover tool from the vet. It is very easy to use ~ ds1 was even able to use it to get a tick off my back where I couldn't reach it. We ended up buying a few more and we keep one in each car and one in each bathroom.

http://store.everestgear.com/eqtic101.html