Can You – or Should You – Remove Ticks with Soap?

A helpful hint online states that an easy remedy for tick removal is the application of dish soap. Does this remedy really work?

This method is not recommended by most experts.

Although it is possible to remove ticks with soap in some cases, it may also stress the tick, causing it to spit/regurgitate harmful bacteria into the blood stream.

Let’s first take a look at the helpful message being circulated regarding tick removal using dish soap.

Tick Removal

A nurse discovered a safe, easy way to remove ticks where they automatically withdraw themselves when you follow her simple instructions. Read this one as it could save you from some major problems.

Spring is here and the ticks will soon be showing their heads. Here is a good way to get them off you, your children, or your pets. Give it a try.

A School Nurse has written the info below–good enough to share–and it really works!

“I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great because it works in those places where it’s sometimes difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc.”

“Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20); the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away.

This technique has worked every time I’ve used it (and that was frequently), and it’s much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me..”

Also, if you just pull a tick off, their heads sometimes break off and are left under the skin so this is much safer. Be aware also that a tick with a white speck on its back is a Deer Tick, these can cause Tick Fever so check yourself and your family good if you see any of these!

“Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can’t see that this would be damaging in any way. Please pass on. Everyone needs this helpful hint.

The University of Rhode Island’s TickEncounter Resource Center tested out this hint for “all kinds of ticks” and concluded, “In the end, we were never able to remove a single tick. In our experience, a pointy tweezer is the single most efficient tool for removing ALL types and sizes of ticks.”

The CDC also has specifically warned against folk remedies:

Avoid folklore remedies such as “painting” the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin. Your goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible–not waiting for it to detach.

Tick Removal

The following steps are recommended for removing a tick:

• Put on gloves and use clean tweezers. You can clean the tweezers with rubbing alcohol.
• Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible to remove the head and mouth. Do not grab it by its bloated body.
• Gently pull the tick straight out, taking care not to twist. Be patient as it may take some time to loosen. If the tick’s mouth becomes separated from the rest of the body, remove it separately. If you can’t remove the mouth part, leave it and let the skin heal.
• Do not try to remove tick with a hot match or petroleum jelly. This could cause the tick to regurgitate infected fluids into the wound.
• Save the tick in a container of alcohol to show the doctor.
• After removing the tick, wash your hands, clean the bite area, and apply alcohol to prevent infection. You may also apply an antibiotic ointment.

Note: There are tick removal tools available at drug stores which some find easier to use than tweezers. 

Consult a doctor if the tick cannot be removed or if there are signs of infection such as redness, fever, or inflammation. Also beware of flu-like symptoms or lesions that may occur up to a month after the tick has been removed.

You are less likely to contract Lyme disease if you remove the tick within 48 hours of receiving the bite.

Preventing Ticks

The best way to avoid ticks is to use a barrier consisting of light-colored clothing with long sleeves. Tuck your pants into your socks and wear a hat. After a visit to a wooded area, wash yourself and inspect your body, and have someone check your back for you.

Bottom Line

Tick removal with soap is not recommended by most health care professionals or organizations. Removal by tweezers is the preferred method.

Additional Sources

• Ticks Treatment (WebMD)
• How to Remove a Tick From a Human (Livestrong)
• Lyme Disease (Dr Weil)

Updated May 9, 2015
Originally published May 2013