HELP! DD has a tick

[MommaSeed]

Hi. I hope someone can help me with this. I found a tick in my 17 month old DD's hair and it is attached but not fat yet. I have never removed one of these. Can you please tell me how to get this out, and do I need to save it incase of lymes (sp?) disease?

I am not sure if I am asking on the correct board so I apologize if I am in the wrong area.

Thanks a bunch

[RidentMama]

If you have a small glass vial, fill it with oil (olive, canola, etc.). Put DD's head down so the tick's body is dipped down into the oil and then tilt DD's head back up so that the tick's body is inside the glass vial, fully submerged in the oil. It won't be able to breathe and will pull itself out of the skin. I don't know about keeping it to check for Lyme's disease, you'll have to use your own judgment for that. I've also heard about smearing peanut butter over the tick's body to get it to pull out, but I would think that would make it difficult for the tick since peanut butter is so thick.

[MommaSeed]

Thank you. I forgot our Parents as Teachers teacher was coming for a visit yesterday. What a blessing! She helped me get the tick out of DD head. Everything came out, head and all. For now I put it in a baggy and froze it. I plan to keep it for a couple of months just incase any symptoms arise. I have read on several sites that getting it off within the first 24 hours significantly reduces their chance of being exposed to any of its bacteria. I think we are safe because it was still small and flat. My poor baby but I sure cannot keep her from being outside!!!
Thanks again.

[Melaniee]

FYI - another solution is to paint it with clear nail polish. It breathes through it's rear so it will start to back out and then just keep painting until it's all the way out.

[shannon0218]

rubbing alcohal also works, but be quick, they literally try to jump away from it.

[sarasprings]

At our vets office, they sell a little plastic thing that hooks on the neck. Then you twist. They say it works wonders. We bought it after DH had a tick last year (and the head was left behind).

[Maeve]

I am so glad I read this thread. Dh just had the strangest tick in him. I think it dug in and then died? Maybe his blood is toxic. LOL
But at least now I know some other ways rather than just the tweezers.

Oh, and can I say that ticks creep me out more than just about anything? The couple times I had one, I was so thankful dh was there. I just about cried. I couldn't even look at it. Most bugs I have no problems with, but ticks.....ewwwww! <shiver>