QUESTION: What is the best way to remove a tick? Do you need to do anything special once it is removed? — Sarah
ANSWER: I talked with Dr. John Moore with Botetourt Pediatrics, who says he has seen a lot of kids with ticks come in.
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.”
The Centers for Disease Control’s Web site said that even if the mouth of the tick remains in the skin, it can’t transmit Lyme disease bacteria without the body.
According to the Virginia Department of Health, the most common diseases caused by ticks in Virginia are Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis.
Once you remove the tick, “Clean your skin with soap and warm water,” the Centers for Disease Control says.
Also, it is recommended that you do daily tick checks after being outside.
Body parts to check, according to 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
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