How to Remove an Embedded Tick Head

Co-authored by Natalie Punt, DVM and Kira Jan

Last Updated: May 28, 2022 References

You’ve managed to pull a tick off your body, your dog, or maybe even your kid, but what do you do if the tick head is still embedded in the skin? The good news is that tick mouthparts can’t transmit serious diseases on their own, but the bad news is that an embedded tick head can lead to infection.^{[1]
X
Research source} Don’t worry, we’ve put together a guide to help you get a tick head out, prevent infection, and know when to seek care.

This article is based on an interview with our board certified veterinarian, Natalie Punt, founder and CEO of mPet. Check out the full interview here.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Removing an Embedded Tick Head

1
Try to remove the head with tweezers or a sterilized needle. Firmly grasp the head and pull it straight out without twisting.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Natalie Punt, DVM
Veterinarian
Expert Interview. 19 August 2021.} Use even pressure as you pull.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} Don’t handle the tick with bare hands or try to use a hot match to get the tick out.^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- If the body is still attached, grasp the tick’s body as close to the skin as possible. That’ll give you the best chance of getting the head out, too.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Natalie Punt, DVM
  Veterinarian
  Expert Interview. 19 August 2021.}
- If the head breaks apart into tiny pieces as you remove it, don’t try and dig around, or you might cause infection.^{[6]
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  Research source}
- Sterilize your tweezers with isopropyl alcohol both before and after you pull the tick out.^{[7]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  Go to source}
- To transmit disease, a tick usually needs to be embedded for 36 hours.^{[8]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
2
Leave the head alone if you can’t fully remove it. It might seem a little gross, but your skin will heal and shed the head like a splinter.^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} The head should come out in a few days, and in the meantime, follow the steps in the next method to prevent an infection.^{[10]
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Research source}
- Soak the skin in warm water to help expel the head faster.^{[11]
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  Research source}
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3
Wrap the tick body in tape, a sealed bag, or a container. After you'll pulled the tick out, it’s helpful for your doctor to see the tick if you develop any potential symptoms.^{[12]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} As you seal the tick up, be careful not to squeeze the tick with your fingers, since that can increase your risk of coming into contact with disease-causing bacteria.^{[13]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- If you just have a tick head, dispose of the head safely by putting it in alcohol or flushing it down the toilet.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Caring for the Tick Bite Site

1
Wash your hands with soap and water. Whether you removed the tick from your own skin or someone else’s, it’s crucial to clean off your hands. Washing your hands can protect you from tick-borne disease.^{[14]
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Research source}
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.^{[15]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source}
- If you don’t have access to soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
2
Clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Washing the area thoroughly with soap and water reduces your chance of infection (both from the tick and from contact with tweezers or your hands).^{[16]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Cleaning the bite area is also a safe wound care step for pets.^{[17]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source} Just use a non-toxic soap designed for pets. You shouldn’t use shampoo designed for humans, because our skin has a different pH.^{[18]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source}
3
Apply antibiotic ointment. Prevent infection and soothe the skin by applying polysporin or your preferred over-the-counter antibiotic cream. You only have to apply the ointment once.^{[19]
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Research source}
- Pets may have an allergic reaction to over-the-counter antibiotic ointment for humans. Apply a small amount first to test your pet’s tolerance. As long as they don’t develop a rash or hives, it’s safe to use.^{[20]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source}
- If you decide to use polysporin on your dog, you should also cover the tick bite or put your pet in a cone to prevent them from ingesting the ointment.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Monitoring for Tick-Borne Disease

1
Expect to see a small, tender bump for a few days. It might look like a pimple, but you shouldn’t be worried about this mild reaction. This is just your skin’s response to minor irritation. It’s not a problem unless the bump starts to get significantly larger or redder.^{[21]
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Research source}
2
Look out for symptoms of Lyme disease or serious infection. Keep an eye on the bite area for several weeks after you remove the tick. Lyme disease will typically show up in 3-10 days after the bite, but it could take up to 30 days for you to spot symptoms.^{[22]
X
Research source} A flat, pink, round patch and/or fever could signal Lyme disease. The patch might look clear at the center and it can grow to 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) across.^{[23]
X
Research source} Look out for these symptoms of infection, too:^{[24]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Redness, soreness, or swelling at the bite site
3
Don’t send the tick in for testing. You might wonder if you should send the tick to a lab to test if it’s carrying a disease. However, the CDC doesn’t recommend lab-testing ticks. The lab might not give you a good reading, because even if the tick tests positive, you might not have actually been exposed. Plus, symptoms of a disease will often show up before you get results back.^{[25]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- You can, however, bring the tick to a vet or doctor for visual identification. They can give you information based on your region and the type of tick to help you figure out if you’re at risk for Lyme disease.^{[26]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Natalie Punt, DVM
  Veterinarian
  Expert Interview. 19 August 2021.}

Warnings

Don’t use petroleum jelly or nail polish to try and suffocate the tick. The goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible, and those folklore solutions won’t work effectively.^{[28]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}

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Blacklegged ticks (also known as deer ticks) are more likely to carry Lyme disease.^{[29]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} You can identify a deer tick by its size–about the size of a poppy seed or sesame seed.

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