ticks

SnowyJ, RN · Apr 15, 2015

Yes. I use a tick puller.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Apr 15, 2015

i use tweezers

kenzie123 · Apr 15, 2015

okay that is what I did and then flushed it down the toilet. I tried to call home to let parents know but no answer so I sent a note home with the student.

CalNevaMimi, LPN, LVN · Apr 15, 2015

We're not supposed to "dig" into the skin, as in splinter removal. This is an interesting question for me to ask at our next nurse's meeting. The ticks we get in this area are about the size of an apple seed. Personally, I have no problem grabbing those little suckers with tweezers and giving them their swirly water sendoff.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Apr 15, 2015

just to add too, when i call home, which i do if it's attached (i get plenty of kiddos that come to me in a panic because they have a tick crawling on their shirts but not actually attached to them) i offer to save the tick and send home for the parent to bring to the doctor to look at. on very rare occasions, doctors around here like to look at the ticks - some even take it to the next step and send the ticks for some type of testing. My process for saving the ticks is to place on a cotton ball, place in one of those little paper med envelopes, seal it up then place in a ziploc and seal. I prefer when the parents opt for burial at sea, though...

ohiobobcat · Apr 15, 2015

I use one of those tick scoops. I call parents and let them know so they can decide what to do from there, and keep an eye on the site. I know most docs in this area are not sending ticks away to be tested. I offer to send the tick home, if parents want. I've never had anyone take me up on that offer.

StocktonNurse, BSN, LVN, RN, EMT-B · Apr 15, 2015

I once pulled over 10 ticks out of a gang ofpuppies. Best way is to use tweezers, and try to go for the head instead of the body and pull it out. Those ticks really burrow themselves in and can be slightly hard to pull out. Pulling the head instead of the body lessens the chance of getting the head stuck in the skin. After the bite you should monitor for the bulls eye rash and let the doctor see the tick to rule out lyme disease.