# Most effective, complete method for tick checks?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-effective-complete-method-for-tick-checks/439970>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 4, 2008, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-effective-complete-method-for-tick-checks/439970 "2008-03-04T00:18:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![supergoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@supergoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supergoose)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2008, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-effective-complete-method-for-tick-checks/439970/1 "2008-03-04T00:18:48Z")

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I have Lyme disease and am paranoid about getting re-infected/infected with a different strain. I’ve read that ticks need to stay attached for at least 24 hours in order for you to get lyme disease from them (right?) so I figure, all I have to do is do a tick check every day, and I’m good.

However, I don’t want to spend all evening doing it, and since I would need to do it on my own, I’m not sure what the best method is, especially when it comes to checking my scalp (I’m female and have long dark hair). Any recommendations?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

(I thought this might have a factual answer and thus be best in general questions. If not, mods, feel free to move to a different forum with my apologies.)

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**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2008, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-effective-complete-method-for-tick-checks/439970/2 "2008-03-04T02:09:00Z")

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Here is a step-by-step for doing a skin cancer exam that you can adapt for tick checks fairly handily.[skin self exam instructions](http://www.skincancer.org/self_exam/spot_skin_cancer.php) For your scalp, they suggest using a blow dryer and a mirror. I think running your fingers through your hair several times would probably find any ticks. Concentrate around the ears, that’s where they always seem to get me. Using a fine comb might be even better.

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**Author:** ![JustThinkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@JustThinkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustThinkin)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2008, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-effective-complete-method-for-tick-checks/439970/3 "2008-03-04T02:49:43Z")

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Flea and tick combs, while sold for dogs and cats, work just fine on humans. We know, we live in Tickville!