Tick removal: Difference between revisions
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Indications | ==Indications== | ||
#Tick attachment to the skin | #Tick attachment to the skin | ||
Contraindications | Contraindications | ||
#None | #None | ||
Equipment | ==Equipment== | ||
#Gloves | #Gloves | ||
#Fine-toothed forceps | #Fine-toothed forceps | ||
Technique | ==Technique== | ||
#Grasp tick as close to skin surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even traction. | #Grasp tick as close to skin surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even traction. | ||
#Take care not to squeeze or crush the tick body because this may expel infective agents. | #Take care not to squeeze or crush the tick body because this may expel infective agents. | ||
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#If one is still unable to remove the mouth parts, excision under local anesthesia will be needed to prevent local infection | #If one is still unable to remove the mouth parts, excision under local anesthesia will be needed to prevent local infection | ||
#Once tick is removed wash the bite area with soap and water or antiseptic. | #Once tick is removed wash the bite area with soap and water or antiseptic. | ||
Complications/Follow-up | ==Complications/Follow-up== | ||
#Monitor for signs and symptoms of tick-borne disease | #Monitor for signs and symptoms of tick-borne disease | ||
#Routine antimicrobial prophylaxis or serologic testing is not recommended | #Routine antimicrobial prophylaxis or serologic testing is not recommended | ||
#There is potential for secondary infections | #There is potential for secondary infections | ||
Source | ==Source== | ||
#Adapted from Roberts & Hedges, Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine, 5th ed. | #Adapted from Roberts & Hedges, Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine, 5th ed. | ||
[[Category:Procedures]] | |||
Revision as of 11:54, 14 September 2011
Indications
- Tick attachment to the skin
Contraindications
- None
Equipment
- Gloves
- Fine-toothed forceps
Technique
- Grasp tick as close to skin surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even traction.
- Take care not to squeeze or crush the tick body because this may expel infective agents.
- Do not twist or jerk the tick in order to prevent the mouth parts from breaking off during extraction.
- If mouth parts are left behind after removal of the body, they may be removed with tweezers.
- If one is still unable to remove the mouth parts, excision under local anesthesia will be needed to prevent local infection
- Once tick is removed wash the bite area with soap and water or antiseptic.
Complications/Follow-up
- Monitor for signs and symptoms of tick-borne disease
- Routine antimicrobial prophylaxis or serologic testing is not recommended
- There is potential for secondary infections
Source
- Adapted from Roberts & Hedges, Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine, 5th ed.