From what I've heard about ticks, there seems to be a general consensus that removal can be achieved by using a lit match or cigarette, however, there are serious dangers associated with this method. For one thing, there is the risk of burning yourself. Another lesser known fact is that any trauma to the tick can cause it to regurgitate; yes, that's right, throw up saliva into your blood stream. It is not the tick's bite but its saliva that poses a threat. The saliva is often brimming with neurotoxins and/or harmful organisms. The neurotoxins act as an "analgesic," preventing you from feeling the irritation of the bite; this allows the tick to avoid detection. Unfortunately, these same neurotoxins can cause you to become violently ill, sometimes resulting in paralysis that, in extreme cases, extends to the lungs causing death. The organisms or, more specifically, bacteria in a tick's saliva can cause Lyme disease and an assortment of other lesser known infections.

Vigilance in wearing appropriate clothing and bug repellent for outdoor activities is key in protecting yourself from these varmits, but, in the event you find yourself with one of these parasites attached to you, it's important that you know what measures to take. Naturally, the first step is detection. For this reason, it is advisable that you check yourself after each outing. Once you've detected a tick and determined that it is in fact embedded in your skin, the next step is to locate a pair of curved forceps or tweezers, and gloves if you have them (gloves will reduce the likelihood of spreading germs from handling the tick). Using the forceps or tweezers (preferably under good lighting) gently flip the tick onto its back. Getting as close to your skin as possible, firmly (but being careful not to crush it) grasp the tick with the forceps or tweezers and gently pull it out. The tick may have secreted "cementum" in order to more firmly attach itself to you, so pulling it off may take some doing, but steady gentle pressure to pull the head straight out (wiggling back and forth is not recommended) will shortly result in it relinquishing its hold on you.

Once you've pulled the tick off, resist the urge to squish it. Squishing it may give you some measure of satisfaction, but it will also release the tick's fluids, greatly increasing the likelihood of disease transmission. You'll want to isolate the tick in a sealed container of some sort, so you can bring it to your doctor for testing. It has been suggested that you hold onto the tick in case you become symptomatic so that, if you become sick, you can then bring it in to your doctor, but this makes little sense to me. I, myself, would not wait around to see if I got sick. This is one of those times that being proactive is called for. I advise seeing your doctor as soon as possible to both examine the bite site, taking any prophylactic measures necessary, and test the tick.

Before you run off to the doctor, you should first determine if any portion of the tick is still embedded in your skin; if there is, then you may need a doctor to remove it; if there isn't, then you should clean the site with soap and water, or possibly a mild antiseptic. Following up with an antibiotic cream or ointment, such as Neosporin, will discourage a bite site infection, but will not otherwise impede the transmission of disease in this case. Don't forget to disinfect the forceps, tweezers, gloves; anything that may have come into contact with the tick. Once you've cleaned house, you'll be ready for a visit to the doctor.