Finding a tick on your body or your pet might tempt you to crush it and move on. But that could be a serious mistake.
Here are the most important reasons why you should never crush a tick – and what you should do instead.
Ticks can transmit diseases when crushed
When you squeeze a tick, its body fluids may squirt out and enter your body through even tiny cuts or skin breaks.
These fluids can contain dangerous pathogens such as Borrelia, which causes Lyme disease.
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The tick's head might remain in the skin
If you try to remove or crush a tick with your bare hands, there's a big risk the head will break off and remain embedded in your skin.
This can lead to infections and inflammation.
Always use a tick remover
A tick tweezer or special tick remover is the safest tool for proper removal.
Grab it as close to the skin as possible and pull it out with a steady, firm motion. This minimizes the risk of leaving parts behind or releasing harmful fluids.
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Never leave the tick in the wild
After removal, do not toss the tick into nature or in the trash. It could survive and find a new host, continuing the cycle of spreading disease.
Wrap the tick and flush it down the toilet
A safe and effective way to dispose of the tick is to wrap it in toilet paper and flush it. This ensures it is completely removed and cannot cause harm to others.
You can have the tick tested
If you’re unsure whether the tick carried any diseases, you can have it examined.
Place it in a sealed bag or container and take it to a pharmacy or your doctor. They can advise you on how to send it in for analysis.
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Pets can carry infected ticks too
If you find the tick on your pet, be extra careful. It may have been attached for a long time and could be full of infectious material.
Some veterinarians recommend saving the tick in a sealed container in case symptoms appear later.
Symptoms may show up later
After a tick bite, symptoms of diseases like Lyme or tick-borne encephalitis can show up days or even weeks later.
That’s why it’s important to note when and where you were bitten and, if possible, keep the tick for reference.
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Avoid contact with the tick's insides
Crushing the tick exposes you to its internal fluids, which could be full of bacteria or viruses. Never use your fingers to squeeze or remove a tick.
Get guidance at your local pharmacy
Pharmacies can provide instructions for safe tick removal and advise on the next steps if you’ve been bitten. They may also help you get the tick tested.
The article is based on information from kertesrecept.hu.
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