Which of the following is NOT a recommended method for tick removal?

• A. Pour alcohol on the tick
• B. Use tweezers to grasp the head and pull straight out
• C. Cut the tick off with a knife
• D. Use a match to burn the tick off

Answer: (C)

Removing a tick properly centers on getting the whole mouthparts out of the skin without causing additional injury. Cutting the tick off with a knife isn’t recommended because it can crush or deform the tick, pushing contents into the wound and leaving mouthparts embedded in the skin. That increases the chance of infection and ongoing irritation, and it’s harder to control exactly what parts remain attached.

The best approach is to use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight outward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk, as that can break the mouthparts off or leave fragments behind. After removal, clean the area with soap and water or antiseptic, and dispose of the tick by placing it in alcohol or flushing it away. Avoid other old tricks like burning the tick with a match or trying to force it off with substances, since these methods can injure the animal and are not reliable.