Tick Protocol

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Checking for Ticks

After being outdoors in areas with an abundance of ticks, it’s important for each student to check themselves for ticks. A tick check encompasses the whole body:

• Check the hidden creases and especially your groin, head, and armpits.
• Comb through your hair with a comb or have someone else check your scalp.
• To get rid of ticks that might be hiding in your clothes, put clothing in a hot dryer or hang them in the sun for at least 15 minutes. The heat can kill the ticks.
• Check for ticks on any gear you had with you in the wilderness.

Removing a Tick

If you find a tick on your body or someone else’s, use tweezers to remove it. If you don’t have tweezers, use your fingers. It’s best to not handle a tick with bare hands, so whenever possible use tissue or gloves. Here’s how you take the tick off:

• Grab the tick as close to its mouth (the part stuck in your skin) as you can. The body of the tick should be above your skin.
• Do not grab the tick by its belly. If you squeeze, you can push infected fluid from the tick into your body.
• Gently pull the tick straight out until its mouth lets go of your skin. Don’t twist the tick, or you may break off the tick’s body and leave the head in your skin.
• If you live in an area where Lyme disease is common, put the tick in a jar or ziplock bag and save it in the freezer for later identification.
• After the tick is removed, wash the tick bite area with soap and warm water. Wash your hands with soap and water too.

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