This Is The Only Thing You Should Do If A Tick Lands On You

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This Is The Only Thing You Should Do If A Tick Lands On You

With the rise of the tick population this summer and the immediate risk of Lyme disease and Powassan virus, it's important you know how to protect your family if a tick lands on them.

There are a lot of home remedies that circulate online, indicating they can naturally and quickly get rid of a tick from your body. The most popular of which is a video circulating that says using peppermint oil will draw the tick to the surface of your skin and make it easy to remove.

However, specialists have indicated that these types of solutions actually increase your risk of tick-related diseases.

"Ticks carry all sorts of diseases," entomologist Dr. Neeta Connally said. "Those are actually salivated into the body when the tick attaches, and so we don't want to agitate the tick in any way that is going to make it salivate more and thereby be more likely to transmit anything."

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The Center For Disease Control seconds this opinion, saying "your goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible "“ not wait for it to detach."

That's why the CDC recommends the best way to get rid of ticks is to get a pair of fine-tipped tweezers and firmly grasp onto the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull straight up from the skin using steady pressure to remove the tick. Clean the bite with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

There are more than 10 diseases ticks can transmit to pets and humans, so treating them effectively and as soon as possible is key.

Meagan has an intense love for Netflix, napping, and carbs.