Tickpedia
Removal · field guidance

When to leave a broken mouthpart in (let body extrude)

A retained mouthpart is not a retained tick — the pathogen-bearing parts are gone, and skin will push the fragment out within 1-2 weeks.

Steps

schema.org/HowTo
  1. 01
    Confirm the body and salivary glands came out — the remaining piece is just chitinous mouthparts.
  2. 02
    Stop further extraction attempts after one careful try with tweezers; repeated digging causes inflammation and scarring.
  3. 03
    Apply petrolatum or a clean dressing to keep the area moist; this helps the fragment migrate to the surface.
  4. 04
    Watch for normal extrusion: a small black speck appearing at the skin surface within 7-14 days.
  5. 05
    Seek care only if the bite enlarges, becomes red and warm, drains pus, or fever develops.

Wild facts

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