A seed tick is a hard tick in the larval stage of development. It is roughly the size of a poppy seed and has six legs. After hatching from its egg, the tiny larva attaches to a host mammal and gorges on the animal's blood. The seed tick then falls off the host, sheds its skin and enters the next phase of metamorphosis.
Seed Tick Removal
If you are bitten by a seed tick, do not touch the tick with your fingers because it can transfer infectious fluids to your skin. Use a pair of tweezers to gently grasp the seed tick. Quickly pull the tick off the skin in an upward motion. You can also remove the tick with masking tape. Firmly place a piece of masking tape, adhesive side down, on top of the tick. When you pull the tape off, the tick will usually be stuck to the adhesive.
Body lice treatment shampoo will remove seed ticks from the skin as well; ask a pharmacist which kind you should use.
After Removal
Once the tick has been removed, clean the area thoroughly with soap and water. Use a cotton ball to apply hydrogen peroxide to the affected area. Put an ice pack on the bite to alleviate swelling and numb the pain.
Natural Remedies
Apply a few drops of tea tree oil or peppermint oil to the bite area to alleviate redness and swelling. To reduce itchiness, rub a few drops of lavender oil on the affected area and let it remain on the skin for at least 15 minutes. Aloe vera gel also soothes tick bite symptoms.
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