Ticks usually require about 36 hours of attachment to the skin, in order to transmit bacteria from their bodies, causing Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

A tick can be removed safely by performing the following:

• Grasp the neck or head of the tick with tweezers. Do not squeeze the body.
• Pull slowly, and straight out. Do not twist the head.
• Remove remaining mouth parts by cleaning with alcohol and scraping with a knife or blade or a sterile needle.
• Clean the wound with soap and water.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment.
• See a doctor within 24 hours if you cannot remove a tick.