Tick bites. The simplest and quickest way to remove a tick is to pull it off. Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull steadily upward until the tick releases its grip. Do not twist the tick or squeeze the tweezers so much that you crush the tick. If you don't have tweezers, pull the tick off in the same way by using your fingers. If you remove the body but leave the head in the skin, remove the head by using a sterile needle (in the same way you would remove a sliver). Wash the wound and your hands with soap and water after you remove the tick. Put on antibiotic ointment once. Embedded ticks do not back out when covered with petroleum jelly, fingernail polish, or rubbing alcohol. Applying a hot match to the tick also does not work. If you cannot completely remove the tick, call your child's doctor. Most ticks do not cause disease. However, if your child develops fever, rash, or other symptoms during the 2 weeks after the bite, call your child's doctor.