Use caution when removing ticks
Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008
Grandma may not always know best - especially when it comes to tick removal, says Joshua Wright, 4-H county extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, home remedies for tick removal, like using petroleum jelly or a hot match, are ineffective.
Using a pair of tweezers is the best method for tick removal. This helps remove all of the tick, including the mouth parts. The site of the tick bite should be disinfected and hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water after removing the tick.
One way to prevent an encounter with these bugs is to wear long sleeves and pants. In tick-infested areas, keeping shirts buttoned and tucked in, as well as tucking pants legs into socks can prevent ticks from crawling inside the pants leg.
Another prevention method is applying a repellent that discourages tick attachment - one containing either DEET or permethrin.
Repellents with permethrin are for clothing only and are effective for several days. While repellents containing DEET can be used on the skin, re-application is necessary every few hours.
After being outdoors, conduct a body check for ticks. Areas to focus on are under the arms, in and around the ears, belly button, back of the knees, in and around hair, between legs and around the waist.
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