I've been seeing a post floating around on Facebook that shows someone putting peppermint oil on a tick to remove it. It looks like it would be a good, easy, painless way to do it. But please. For the love of all things. Don't do it. Do not put ANYTHING on a tick to make it back out on its own. Because, it doesn't just innocently back out. Before it backs out, it spits out everything that's in its body.
Think about that.
That means that every disease that's inside of that tick is now inside of you.
Instead, grab the tick as close to the skin as possible (so that you're grabbing its head) and pull straight up. Do not twist as you pull up, that can cause the head to break off and be left in your skin. Don't squeeze or twist the body; that release what's inside, too. Then, put the tick in a ziplock bag and get it tested. If your doctor will not do it the following organizations will do it or will direct you to a place that meets your needs better:
Igenex: http://www.igenex.com/testing/tick-testing/
Bay Area Lyme Foundation: http://www.bayarealyme.org/lyme-disease-prevention/tick-testing/
U Mass Amherst: https://www.tickreport.com
And do not panic. You are taking the steps you need to take. You are doing what you need to do.
And, of course, if you do find a tick and have any questions, feel free to ask me! That's what I'm here for.
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