Originally Posted by
wild at heart
I gotta ask the professional, why do recommend not burning the tick? That's what I have always done. Why is this harmful?
I am not a professional but I have read that any method that causes excess stress on the bug (such as burning) can make it expel all the nasty stuff inside it (basically throw up inside you) before you can get it out. The best method I have found is to grab it with a pair of very narrow tweezers right where the head enters the skin, taking care not to squeeze the bug's body. Make a little "tent" with your skin - gentle even pressure. The trick (and hard part) is to be patient. With a constant tension, the tick should back out on its own, without puking its guts - and disease - on its way out.
Then burn the basturd.
