# What's the best way for single person to check themselves for ticks? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 12, 2013, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-for-single-person-to-check-themselves-for-ticks/663275 "2013-07-12T01:52:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-for-single-person-to-check-themselves-for-ticks/663275/1 "2013-07-12T01:52:53Z")
Assuming you do not have a main squeeze or SO what’s the best way to check yourself for ticks along your back and bottom where you can’t see? Mirror on a stick? Smartphone video? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-for-single-person-to-check-themselves-for-ticks/663275/2 "2013-07-12T02:00:50Z")
When I finished a Boundary Waters canoe trip years ago, and had a much-needed shower (the first one in a week :D), I found a tick on my back while soaping myself up, and had another female camper remove it. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-for-single-person-to-check-themselves-for-ticks/663275/3 "2013-07-12T06:21:42Z")
This is one of the many reasons God and Baby Jesus invented full length mirrors. By turning this way and that way I can’t imagine there’s any part of you that you can’t see in a full length mirror. Also, you could do a double check by rubbing your hands along yourself. You’d be able to feel a tick. ---
**Author:** ![DataX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-for-single-person-to-check-themselves-for-ticks/663275/4 "2013-07-12T06:41:20Z")
I feel that I’m too hairy to be sure I can see it with confidence. I always take a shower after hiking as an extra precaution - plus I can usually use one anyway. I did find a dog tick on me once after hiking. Also - of course know what the bullseye rash looks like in case you miss one, with knowledge that not everyone presents with that. ---
**Author:** ![Zago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecccb3/32.png) [@Zago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zago)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-for-single-person-to-check-themselves-for-ticks/663275/5 "2013-07-12T18:17:50Z")
I walk in the woods a lot with my friend and her dogs. She has taught me to give my hair and scalp a very thorough going over which I start as soon as we’re back at the car to drive home. Once home I rub down my entire body and do a mirror check but honestly, if a tick attached at the middle of my back there’s a very good chance I wouldn’t find it. I have heard (and my vet has confirmed) that ticks tend to travel towards the head before burrowing in. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-for-single-person-to-check-themselves-for-ticks/663275/6 "2013-07-12T18:24:23Z")
You could always go the hooker route. “How much for a full tick check”?