Tick removal: Difference between revisions
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Silas Chiu (talk | contribs) (Added steps) |
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#Gloves | #Gloves | ||
#Fine-toothed forceps | #Fine-toothed forceps | ||
#Fine suture | |||
==Technique== | ==Technique== | ||
#Grasp tick as close to skin surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even traction. | #Apply viscous lidocaine to kill the tick and anesthetize bite site | ||
#Grasp tick with forceps as close to skin surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even traction. | |||
#Alternatively, fine suture looped in a half-hitch around the tick between the skin and tick's body | |||
#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. | ||
#Do not twist or jerk the tick in order to prevent the mouth parts from breaking off during extraction. | #Do not twist or jerk the tick in order to prevent the mouth parts from breaking off during extraction. | ||
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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. | ||
#Save tick in plastic bag for ID and aid in diagnosis if illness occurs. | |||
==Complications/Follow-up== | ==Complications/Follow-up== | ||
#Monitor for signs and symptoms of tick-borne disease | #Monitor for signs and symptoms of tick-borne disease | ||
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==Source== | ==Source== | ||
*Roberts & Hedges, Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine, 5th ed. | *Roberts & Hedges, Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine, 5th ed. | ||
*Tintinalli's | |||
[[Category:Procedures]] | [[Category:Procedures]] | ||
Revision as of 23:32, 3 June 2014
Indications
- Tick attachment to the skin
Contraindications
- None
Equipment
- Gloves
- Fine-toothed forceps
- Fine suture
Technique
- Apply viscous lidocaine to kill the tick and anesthetize bite site
- Grasp tick with forceps as close to skin surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even traction.
- Alternatively, fine suture looped in a half-hitch around the tick between the skin and tick's body
- 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.
- Save tick in plastic bag for ID and aid in diagnosis if illness occurs.
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
- Roberts & Hedges, Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine, 5th ed.
- Tintinalli's