An unpleasant aspect of summer, especially with the wet and hot spring we have had to date, is the bug we call a “tick”,. Interestingly, it is not technically an insect, as having 8 legs rather than 6 it is more properly an arachnid (spider family).

For understandable reasons, many people have a visceral revulsion to this little creature significantly out of proportion to its harm. When I would come upon them working in a salon, I learned early to handle the situation with “kid gloves”. Clients were almost always quite embarrassed, despite the fact that anyone who spends time outdoors can be a victim.  So, be prepared for “blood, sweat and tears” because this news can cause them all!

Some suggestions from my experiences in the salon:

Always start a hair service with a “neck up” exam, as a courtesy to your clients.

Ohio Rules state “No patron … exhibiting symptoms of … parasitic infestations will be served unless written permission from a physician has been secured” - a good reason to know before you start any hair service.

Think of what and how you will tell your client before you say anything - you have a responsibility to explain what you have found to your client, but in a professional manner.

Your conversation should be private to the extent possible. Be calm and reassuring- remember this could happen to anyone.

You should not attempt to remove the tick - there is a chance of infection, thus potential liability. In addition, it is outside your “scope of practice” and therefore inadvisable.

Nail polish, touching with a hot iron or other “home remedies” usually do not work. Advise your client to visit a medical doctor, Urgent Care, etc. to have the tick removed. There are special tweezers made just for this task that help prevent the spread of infection.

Pulling or twisting a tick off is not recommended as it increases the risk of infection dramatically. Ticks secrete a type of glue which, combined with their barbed protrusion makes removal difficult and sometimes painful and bloody.

Avoid touching a tick with your bare hands, wash your hands thoroughly and use an anti-bacterial lotion after any contact.

If the tick “releases”, putting it in a solution containing at least 10% household bleach is an effective way to kill it. Do not just throw it away or “flush it”. The client should keep it in case anything develops that would make the doctor want to run tests on it.

Lastly, if a lover of the great outdoors, give yourself a “tick check” after a day in the woods or grass. It takes awhile for a tick to “attach” and it is the old “ounce of protection” philosophy.

Not the most pleasant post, but an important topic. As hair, skin and nail experts, we have a professional duty to look out for the welfare and health of our clients. Hope this helps…