If a tick has not begun to bite, what should you do?

• A. Brush off the tick
• B. Pull straight out by the body
• C. Squeeze to release venom
• D. Burn the tick

Answer: (A)

When a tick is simply crawling on you, the safest move is to brush it off gently and promptly. Removing it before it bites lowers the chance of transmission because many tickborne pathogens are passed only after the tick has attached and begun feeding. Avoid grabbing the tick by the body, squeezing it, or trying to burn it, since those actions can cause the tick to release fluids or leave mouthparts behind, increasing infection risk. After it’s brushed away, wash the area and your hands with soap and water, and keep an eye on the area for any signs of illness in the following weeks. If a tick does bite and you need to remove it later, use clean tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight up with steady, even pressure.