Wash your hands and clean the area with soap and water
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a sterile needle
If part of the tick is still visible, grasp it as close to the skin as possible
Pull straight out with steady, even pressure
Do not twist, squeeze, or crush the tick head
If the skin has closed over it, gently lift the skin with a sterile needle and remove the fragment if it is easy to reach
Do not dig deeply into the skin
Clean the area again with soap and water or rubbing alcohol
Apply an antiseptic if available
Watch for redness, swelling, rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms
Seek medical care if the tick head cannot be removed easily or if symptoms develop
