How To Deal With Ticks

Here's what to do if you find one on yourself—and how to prevent future bites.

Summer means ticks for many parts of the US, which means the risk of tickborne diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many diseases brought by ticks have similar symptoms, like rash, fever, and aches and pains.

When you find a tick latched on, experts recommend removing it right away by grabbing it as close to the head as possible and pulling straight up. Make sure not to crush it, and tweezers work best if available. Wash the bite site with soap and water or alcohol.

Save the tick in a plastic bag or other airtight container and put it in the fridge in case you need to send it in for testing. Observe the bite site for swelling, and monitor yourself for rash and fever.

For more information, including prevention techniques, head over to MarthaStewart.com.