The Correct Way to Remove a Tick

Tug gently but firmly with blunt tweezers near the head of the tick until it releases its hold on the skin. To lessen the chance of contact with the bacterium, try not to crush the tick's body or handle the tick with bare fingers. Swab the bite area thoroughly with an antiseptic to prevent bacterial infection.

Source: Lyme Disease, The Facts, The Challenge, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases/National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. (For ordering information, see p. 19.)