Tick Bites 101: What to Do and What to Avoid - AI Podcast - Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

Story at-a-glance

The safest way to remove a tick is with fine-tipped tweezers, gripping it close to your skin and pulling upward slowly without twisting or yanking
Trying to dig out leftover tick parts causes more harm than good; your body will naturally expel them, similar to how it handles a splinter
Using the wrong removal method, such as squeezing a tick or applying petroleum jelly or heat, increases your risk of infection by forcing harmful bacteria into your skin
Prevention starts before you go outside: wearing protective clothing, using natural repellents and performing daily tick checks drastically lowers your risk of disease
Tools like lint rollers, proper tick disposal methods and documenting bites with photos help you stay proactive and avoid complications from tick-borne illnesses