How To Remove An Embedded Tick Head In Human Beings

embedded tick head in human

Introduction

Ticks can be very annoying parasites. They do not just bite you and move on to their next victim.

Instead, they bury their heads deep inside your skin and set camp there for several days as they feed on you.

There are various safe ways to remove an embedded tick head in human beings. You can either use some DIY techniques or specialized tools.

A tick bite can be very itchy and uncomfortable. It can also lead to you contracting some severe diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever and Tularemia.

So what do you do when you find these little creatures hanging on your skin?

In this article, we shall discuss both options and further show you how to prevent that tick bite in the first place.

We shall also answer some frequently asked questions regarding tick removal. Let’s get started!

Simple Ways To Remove An Embedded Tick Head In Human Beings

embedded tick head in human

Some people advised you to pour some nail varnish or hydrogen peroxide on the tick.

Others insist you apply some gel to suffocate it or touch it with a hot matchstick to burn it.

These are ineffective methods.

They usually encourage the tick to burrow further into the skin. Below are some easy yet safe ways to remove a tick.

Break Out The Tweezers

embedded tick head in human

This is the most common method used to remove an embedded tick head in human beings.

You only need a good pair of tweezers, some antibiotic ointment or surgical spirit, warm soapy water, and adhesive tape.

To remove the tick, pull back any hair around the tick so that you can expose the tick. Once you see the head of the tick, use the tweezers to pin it from near the skin as much as possible.

Do not squeeze the tick’s body as this will push the disease-causing organisms into your bloodstream.

Gently but firmly pull the head straight outwards, being careful not to detach the head from the body.

Avoid any back and forth rotational movements as these will tear the body and leave the head still lodged in the skin.

Once you have the tick removed, wash the affected area with warm soapy water then apply an antibiotic ointment. Any surgical solution is sufficient to clean the area.

Dispose of the removed tick by wrapping it in adhesive tape and throwing it in your trash. 

Alternatively, flush it down the toilet. Consult a doctor to rule out any chances of contracting a tick-borne disease.

Use Dental Floss

Just like with tweezers, kill and dispose the tick hygienically either by flashing it down the toilet or wrap it using adhesive tapes before discarding it.

Dental floss is more convenient if you find it hard to grasp the tick head with tweezers.

It also guarantees a minimal chance of infection from the tick’s saliva.

You will need an arm’s length thin, unwaxed dental floss string, iodine or any other surgical solution, some adhesive tapes, and warm soapy water.

Disinfect the tick bite area with any surgical solution you have.  Coil the floss to fit the tick’s head. Gently put the looped floss over the tick’s head to hold it firmly.

Using both hands, gently push the tick from underneath its head upwards until it lets go of the skin.

Just like with tweezers, kill and dispose of the tick hygienically either by flushing it down the toilet or wrap it using adhesive tapes before discarding it.

Wash the tick bite spot with warm soapy water before disinfecting it with a surgical solution.

Try A Credit Card

A credit card can be used to remove an embedded tick head in human beings, but only for larger ticks.

You’ll need a pair of surgical gloves, scissors, antibiotic ointment, any thin plastic card, warm soapy water, and adhesive tapes.

To remove the embedded tick head in human beings, put on surgical gloves.

Cut one edge of the plastic card into V-shape. Hold the body of the tick with one hand while you have the plastic card on the other hand.

Place the cut side of the card in contact with the tick bite area just underneath the tick’s head.

Gently slide it between the tick and the skin while still holding the tick’s body with the other hand.

Repeat this several times until the tick releases the skin.

Disinfect the tick bite area using the surgical solution.  Apply an antibiotic ointment. Kill and discard the removed tick hygienically using the adhesive tape.

Tick Removal Aids For Embedded Tick Heads In Human Beings

If the above methods seem rather tedious for you, there are several commercial products to accurately assist you to remove an embedded tick head in human beings.

They come with clearly illustrated steps on how to remove the embedded tick head in human beings and pets.

Below we will outline a few of our favorites.

1. Best Tick Removal Aids – Tick Twister Tick Remover

Tick Twister Tick Remover - The Smart and Safe Way to Remove Ticks from People and Pets - 24 Pack
The tick remover from Tick Twister Tick Remover is effortless to use and highly effective even against the most stubborn of ticks.

It targets the tick head without hurting the tick bite area. Its precision ensures the tick comes out without leaving any parts of the mouth on the bite spot.

It retails in batches of 24 twisters per pack that has both small and large sizes to cater for the size of the tick – enough for you to leave a set in your car, bathrooms, camping bags, and more.

These are more than enough for you or your pet when you get exposed to tick bites on an outdoor adventure.

In addition, you won’t need to apply any disinfection solution to the tick bite area since tick twisters are sterilized.

The Tick Twister Tick Remover pack is conveniently small; it can fit into your first aid box.

Pros

  • The tick twisters are painless
  • They remove the whole tick
  • The tick twisters are pre-disinfected
  • Targets the head, minimizes the risk of contracting a disease
  • Fits well in your emergency kit box
  • Available in both single packs and larger packs

Click here to view Tick Twister Tick Remover on Amazon.com

2. Best Tick Removal Aids – TickCheck Premium Tick Remover Kit

TickCheck Premium Tick Remover Kit - Stainless Steel Tick Remover + Tweezers, Leather Case, and Free Pocket Tick Identification Card (1)
The TickCheck Premium Tick Remover Kit contains two stainless steel tick removers to cater to the different tick sizes you may encounter.

Just slide the fork-shaped tip or these removers underneath the tick’s head and gently remove the entire embedded tick head without detaching it from the rest of its body.

The pack also has a carrying pouch to dispose of the removed tick.

It comes with a free tick identification card, which is important in assisting medical personnel to identify and treat you in case you contract a disease from the bite.

This identification card can be used to determine the deer tick, the lone star tick, or the American Dog Tick.

Additionally, TickCheck Premium Tick Remover Kit has a design that aims at fighting Lyme disease, and the severe muscle disease passed on to humans through a tick bite.

This kit is ideal for both you and your pets.

It has clearly illustrated instructions on how to remove the ticks. It conveniently fits into a first aid kit box.

Pros

  • It comes with a free tick identification card with easy to follow tick removal instructions.
  • The kit removes the whole tick easily
  • It has a tick collection pouch to dispose of the tick
  • The entire package is conveniently light and easy to carry around

Click here to view TickCheck Premium Tick Remover Kit on Amazon.com

3. Best Tick Removal Aids – TickCheck Tick Remover Card

Tick Remover Card - Wallet Sized Tick Removal Tool with Free Tick ID Card & Testing Information - for People, Dogs, Cats (1 Pack)
The TickCheck Tick Remover Card uses the same principle as the credit card method.

The only difference is that this one is already shaped for you.

In addition to ticks, this card can effectively remove bee stings, splinters, and thorns. This makes it the ideal camping companion tool.

It is designed to resemble a credit card, and therefore it fits compact in your wallet. It has two different sized notches for removing both large ticks and smaller deer ticks and nymphs.

You can use the magnifying glass for better viewing of the embedded tick head in human beings.

Pros

  • It’s slim and light for easier portability
  • The card can identify ticks for easier removal
  • Works on humans and pets too
  • Different notch sizes for different tick sizes.

Click here to view TickCheck Tick Remover Card on Amazon.com

How To Protect Yourself From Ticks

embedded tick head in human

If you are an outdoor person or you have pets, you are more prone to getting tick bites.

It is only prudent that you know how to repel ticks by combining some simple bio-safety measures with natural yet effective tick repellents.

Bio-Safety Measures

Maintaining A Tick-Free Home – Ticks thrive in unkempt environments waiting for the right opportunity to cling onto their victims.

Ensure you cut the grass short and thin the bushy fences.

Ticks are carriers of Lyme disease that they pick from rodents.

An effective rodent control plan in your home will save you the risk of disease transmission.

Exercise Caution When Going For Outdoors Activities Avoid setting camp in tick-prone areas.

When hiking, seek advice from the park rangers on how to spot the ticks.

Wear Protective Clothing – Wear lightweight long-sleeved shirts and long pants that cover the skin area entirely.

You can also spray repellents before wearing your clothes.

Act Quickly After You Have Been Exposed To Tick Bites – Tick-transmitted diseases are easier to control within the first 24 hours of transmission.

Should you find yourself in a tick-infested area, always take a shower and inspect your whole body for any tick that could be clinging on you.

Use a safe tick removal tool for the embedded tick head in human beings and get it off as soon as possible, and seek medical attention.

Natural Tick Repellents

embedded tick head in human

Cedar Oil SprayCedar Oil Repellent can be sprayed it on both you and your pets before going for an outdoor adventure.

Cedar oil will repel and kill ticks and other irritating bugs. It has zero side effects on you or your pet.

Eucalyptus Oil – Dilute 20 drops of eucalyptus oil in one a litter of water. Spray the diluted eucalyptus oil on all the things that you think will be in contact with ticks.

It will kill and repel any tick that is exposed to this solution.

Neem Oil – Apply it directly on your skin or dilute it in water and spray it on your pets.

Although it does not kill ticks, the ticks hate the smell of neem oil, and they tend to keep off.

Apple Cider Vinegar – Mix apple cider vinegar with neem oil and dilute in water. Spray this on your exposed skin and your pet.

Essential Oils – Grind cinnamon, peppermint, lemon peelings, and rose geranium. Rub this against your skin before going out.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Q. Can I Remove A Tick With My Bare Hands?

A. No. It is not advisable to remove ticks with your bare hands.

Ticks are carriers of serious diseases that you can easily contract if you squeeze the tick too hard and it releases some of its body fluids into your bloodstream.

Use either the natural remedies or the special tools listed above, such as the TickCheck Premium Tick Remover Kit.

Q. What Do I Do With The Removed Tick?

A. You can burn it or seal it using adhesive paper and dispose of it safely.

Q. What Can I Use To Soothe The Redness Left By The Tick Bite?

A. Getting a red spot on the tick bite area is normal.

However, this area should not be an inflamed redness that seems to grow bigger.

Inflammation is a sign that you may have contracted a disease. The earlier you seek medical help, the better. If the spot does not look inflamed, clean it with warm soapy water and observe it over the next 48 hours.

Keep in mind this website does not provide medical advice.

Q. What Happens If The Tick’s Head Detaches And Remains On The Skin?

A. Apply an antibiotic ointment and consult a doctor as soon as possible.

The embedded tick head in human beings is not harmful. But it transmits dangerous diseases through its saliva.

Q. Do Ticks Transmit Any Diseases?

A. Yes. The primary disease transmitted by ticks is Lyme disease.

Its immediate symptom is an expanding redness at the tick bite area. In the long term, it can result in severe fatigue, muscle, and joint pain and mental fogginess.

Other diseases transmitted by ticks are Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Q fever, Powassan disease, and Colorado tick fever.

Talk to your doctor immediately if you believe you have been bitten by a tick.

Conclusion

It is easy to control the effects of a tick bite when you know how to remove embedded tick head in human beings properly.

With the above tools and products, you can minimize the chances of contracting tick-transmitted diseases.

However, with ticks, prevention is better than cure. Opt for bio-safety measures around your home and use natural remedies to repel them.

Don’t let these nasty creatures confine you to an indoor lifestyle when you would rather be out enjoying the sun with your favorite pet.