If a tick has bitten you, don’t panic. You should attempt to remove the tick immediately with fine-tipped tweezers, grasping it as close to your skin as possible. Use the tweezers to steadily pull the tick up and out with even pressure. Do not squeeze or pop the tick body. If a piece of the tick breaks off and remains in your skin, repeat the process using the same method. If you’re unable to pull the piece out, you can leave it.   Don’t use matches, lighters, cigarettes, petroleum jelly, salt, or any other folk remedy to make the tick let go on its own. It could agitate the tick, causing it to release bodily fluids potentially contaminated with tick-borne illness. Wash the tick bite site with soap and water. Call your doctor to report the bite and request the ILADS recommended 20-day course of antibiotics.