04/17/2026
First, resist the urge to panic and immediately just rip it out when you spot a tick on you or a loved one. There are several different tools you can purchase on Amazon to help remove the tick without squeezing it and causing it to regurgitate more into your bloodstream. Ideally, you'd order one to have on hand when the need arises, but if you don't have one:
1. Use the closest thing to fine-tip tweezers
Nail tweezers, splinter tweezers, even carefully cleaned eyebrow tweezers. If nothing else, you can use your fingernails (not ideal, but workable).
2. Grab as close to the skin as possible
Aim for the head/mouthparts, not the swollen body. This is the most important part.
3. Pull straight out, slowly and steadily
No twisting, jerking, or yanking. Just consistent pressure until it releases.
4. DON'T:
-Squeeze the body
-Burn it with a match
-Smother it with Vaseline, oil, or nail polish
-Twist or spin it
All of these can stress the tick and increase the chance it regurgitates.
5. If possible, keep the tick in a bag/container (in case symptoms show later and you want to send it for testing)
If the head stays in, don’t panic. It’s more like a splinter than an active infection source at that point. You can try to remove it gently, but if not, your body will usually push it out.
6. Begin the First Response to Tick Bites Protocol by Jernigan Nutraceuticals: JNutra.com/TickBite
This protocol supports normal immune function, internal balance, and the body’s ability to respond to early microbial stress following tick exposure.
7. Watch for early signs of Lyme disease (3-30 days after tick bite). Includes but is not limited to:
-Fever
-Chills
-Headache
-Fatigue
-Muscle pain
-Joint aches
-Swollen lymph nodes
-Erythema migrans rash ("bullseye rash"): Occurs in only approximately 30 percent of infected persons. Begins at the site of a tick bite after a delay of 3 to 30 days (average is about 7 days)
