Ask Karen Tick Season

By Karen McNew
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: May 13, 2008

Click here to read past Ask Karen articles

Q:  What is the best way to remove a tick?  Do you need to do anything special once it is removed? 
Sarah

A:  I talked with Doctor John Moore with Botetourt Pediatrics who tells me he has seen a lot of kids with ticks come into his office. 

He says, “When removing a tick use tweezers and get as close to the skin as possible.  When pulling the tick off make sure you pull straight up and down to try to prevent leaving any of it in the skin.”

I also did some research through the Virginia Department of Health and found the most common diseases caused by ticks in Virginia are Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control once you remove the tick, “Then, clean your skin with soap and warm water.”

The C.D.C.’s website also said if the mouth of the tick remains in the skin, without the body it can’t transmit the Lyme disease bacteria.  Also, it is recommended that you do daily tick checks after being outside. 

Body Parts to Check from the CDC:
Under the arms
In and around the ears
Inside the belly button
Back of the knees
In and around the hair
Between the legs
Around the waist

Link to more On Your Side information from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about ways to prevent ticks in your back yard.