Can you remove ticks with vaseline? This is the focus of our discussion in this article.
Ticks can be picked up by anyone from fields, plants, grass, and bushes. When these pests are unknowingly picked up, they move to favorable parts of the body to start feeding.
These pests thrive on blood and will cause significant discomfort to hosts.
Now, a tick problem isn’t life-threatening. As such, it may not require going to the hospital immediately. Most people apply first-aid treatments using a wide variety of remedies.
How To Remove A Tick With Vaseline: Bites
Ticks will readily hitch a ride whenever the opportunity presents itself. You may be taking a walk or brush past grass or other plants. Ticks will always position themselves strategically around public spaces.
Whenever these parasites get onto your body, they don’t waste time finding the perfect spot.
Luckily, their bites don’t hurt when they feed. Chances are that you won’t notice the bite. This is the main reason why first aid treatment is enough to get the problem over with.
An inspection of your groin and armpit areas as well as hair may reveal tick presence. These are mostly the targeted spots due to their warmth and moisture.
Their sizes could vary widely from very tiny to about the size of a pencil eraser.
About Vaseline For Tick Removal
Petroleum jelly or Vaseline is one of the most commonly used house products for burns, chaffed skin, ointment for woods as well as a healing balm.
It’s important to discuss its uses to enable us better appreciate its applicability on tick removal.
This product has found a lot of uses ranging from the healing of minor skin scrapes and burns, skin moisturizer, help for pet paws, and prevention of diaper rash.
Other uses of petroleum jelly include removal of eye makeup, saving of hair split ends preservation of perfume scent, and prevention of skin stains when using dye or nail polish.
Petroleum jelly will also serve as lube for stuck objects. Based on these points, it’s evident that petroleum jelly is a versatile product you’ll need to have around.
So, how can it be applied for tick removal? You’ll need to read on to find out.
Can Vaseline be used for Tick Removal?
Despite its many advantages, Vaseline isn’t recommended by health experts for tick removal. Now, there are lots of claims in articles about the efficacy of Vaseline in removing ticks.
The truth is, petroleum jelly or Vaseline can only be applied to the wound after the tick is removed and the area cleaned.
Removing Ticks and Application of Vaseline
Contrary to what many believe, it’s never good to go as far as smothering ticks with Vaseline or other products before removal. Tick removal is best done without the application of Vaseline.
This product is only used in some cases to cover tick bite wound(s) as it heals.
To remove ticks, you’ll need fine-timed forceps or tweezers for grabbing. The forceps are used to hold the tick close to its head region. Now, slowly and steadily pull out the tick in an upward motion.
During this time, it’s necessary to avoid squeezing or twisting the tick while you pull out.
Squeezing, twisting, or crushing the tick while you pull could leave out the head still embedded in your skin. You’ll need a container to place the tick in for reference purposes in cases of developing symptoms.
Never grab such ticks with your hands.
With the removal complete, you’ll need to wash your hands and the bite area. Get some warm water and soap to clean up. Other alternatives are iodine scrub or rubbing alcohol.
Place your container in a freezer for about a week or two while observing for any symptoms.
When there aren’t any symptoms, there’s no need to call a doctor. You can dispose of such a tick as it has no use.
Applying Vaseline on the Bite Area
This is only needed after the tick must have been successfully removed and the bite area treated. Vaseline can be used to cover the wound. It’s important to seek medical advice before using Vaseline.
This helps you determine if it’s necessary or not.
Disease-Causing Bacteria
Not all tick species carry bacteria.
However, some do and increase the risk of exposure to diseases. Common tick-related diseases include tularemia, Colorado tick fever, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Call A Medical Professional When it’s Necessary
Most times, tick removal won’t result in complications.
However, there are times when it becomes necessary to call for help. Most are related to symptoms that develop after a tick bite is noticed.
Examples of such symptoms include rash, swollen lymph nodes, flu-like symptoms that include headache and fever, and also redness or joint pain.
More serious symptoms of tick bites include trouble breathing, chest pain, severe headache, heart palpitations, and paralysis.
Preventing A Tick Bite
Due to the health risks posed by tick bites, it’s necessary to adopt a preventive approach to stopping its occurrence. If you are already witnessing an infestation, here is how to get rid of ticks completely.
When going out, consider wearing long clothing, keeping the shirt tucked in pants, spraying insect repellent on clothes as well as frequently checking clothes and skin.
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Wearing Long Clothing
One of the ways to prevent ticks from getting onto your skin is by wearing long pants and sleeves when headed to areas with heavy brushes. Such clothing will also be necessary when around tall grass and thickly wooded areas.
You may also want to wear light-colored clothes to easily spot ticks.
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Keeping Shirt Tucked in Pants
Flying shirts are easy to attach to and get access to the body. You’ll need to have these tucked into your pants in outdoor areas likely to have ticks around.
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Spraying an Insect Repellent on Clothes
Certain insect repellents are designed to be sprayed onto clothes and the body. Use these as an added defense against ticks when going out.
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Frequently Checking Clothes and Skin
While in the woods, it’s best you frequently check your clothing to spot ticks. These can be tapped off when seen.
Removing ticks with Vaseline isn’t such a good idea. However, it can be used to cover bite wounds after the bite area is cleaned.