Tick Tongs: Applications & Health Benefits

Tick forceps are used to mechanically remove a tick from the skin of its host. The sooner the tick tongs are used, the lower the risk of infection from the tick.

What is a tick tong?

Tick forceps is the name given to an instrument used to remove ticks that have bitten into the skin of humans and pets. Tick nippers is the name given to an instrument used to remove ticks that have bitten into the skin in humans and pets. In fact, a tick does not bite, but stings in order to sink its sucking tool into the tissue of the selected host. In the process, it anchors itself with barbs. Tick nippers are designed to ensure that the tick is completely removed. They work purely mechanically by pulling or twisting the tick out. Some types use a special mechanism.

Shapes, types and types

There are various tools to remove attached ticks, colloquially summarized as tick tongs. The most popular is the tweezers, which are usually made of stainless steel. They allow precise work even on hard-to-reach parts of the body. With the tick tweezers, the tick is grasped close to the puncture hole and removed with a hearty tug. If you are too timid, the tick may break off – i.e. the biting tools are still in the host, while only the body has been grasped by the tweezers. Since bacteria from the tick’s body can enter the host’s bloodstream, it is important to avoid tearing the tick apart and remove it in one piece. This requires some practice and dexterity. The tweezers are best used on a tick that has bitten but not yet become fully absorbed. A fully sucked tick, which has a bulging ball shape, is best dealt with using a tick hook. The tick hook is split at the front so that it can be pushed under the head of the tick. With one tug, the entire tick, including its mouthparts, can be removed. The advantage over tweezers is that the tick is not squashed, minimizing the risk of transmitting bacteria and other toxic substances to the host. Tick hooks usually come in a set of two, in two sizes, so they can be used on large and small ticks. A variation of the tick hook is the tick card. One of its corners is provided with a slit, this is pushed under the head of the tick according to the principle of the tick hook. The tick card is ideal for traveling, because its credit card shape fits in any wallet.

Structure and mode of operation

Some tick nippers resemble tweezers with angled leg ends that taper to a point at the bottom. The angulation is favorable for working precisely and ergonomically at the same time. Other tick forceps, especially in the pet sector, have X-shaped crossed legs. They exert particularly strong pressure on the tick once grasped, ensuring that it can be pulled out at the first jerk. Another very popular tick pliers is made of plastic and has the shape of a ballpoint pen. It works by means of sliding technology. Similar to the lead of the ballpoint pen, a push on the end of the pen is enough to open the pliers. Once attached, the tick is pulled out of the host using the sliding mechanism. Another well-known tick pincer works like a snare. The metal loop attached to a type of pin is placed around the head of the tick. As the pin is turned, the snare tightens and twists the tick completely out. The snare technique is designed to prevent the tick from being squashed and vomiting into the open wound. In addition, the complete head is also twisted out. Unlike most home remedies, all tick nippers rely on mechanically pulling or twisting the tick out of the host. In doing so, it remains alive and must be killed after removal.

Medical and health benefits

Those who use home remedies – such as brushing the tick with oil or glue – risk causing it to vomit in a death spasm, thereby infecting its host through the open wound. Since ticks can be carriers of Lyme disease bacteria and TBE viruses, it is important to avoid infection. It pays to be quick: It takes about twelve to twenty-four hours after the bite before an infection with Lyme disease occurs. So the longer a sucking process takes, the higher the probability of transmission of pathogens.Since the tick emits a kind of anesthetic with the bite, however, the sucking remains unnoticed at first. For this reason, especially forest walkers, hobby gardeners, dog owners, etc. should thoroughly check themselves for tick bites after a stay in the great outdoors and, if necessary, remove the tick immediately. Ticks prefer to stay on the neck and head, in the back of the knees and in the crotch. By the way, this also applies to dogs, which should also be scanned after every walk in tick season. The application of home remedies to the tick, such as nail polish remover or lighter fluid, should be avoided for the reasons mentioned above. Only after the tick has been completely removed should the puncture site be disinfected with medical alcohol or a solution containing iodine. If the redness at the puncture site does not disappear soon or even spreads, it should be shown to a doctor. The same applies if the puncture site swells very much, becomes hot and throbbing painful. Anyone who is not confident in their ability to properly remove a tick can also have this done by a doctor.