What Fell Out of Her Hair During a Shower Turned an Ordinary Night Into Pure Panic

We got lucky. The tick was a common dog tick—not a deer tick (which carries Lyme disease)—and it hadn’t transmitted any diseases.

But we learned lessons that will stay with us forever.

What We Learned (Important Tick Information)

Let me share what we discovered during those long, anxious hours.

How to Remove a Tick (If You Find One Attached)

• Use fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.

• Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk (mouthparts can break off).

• After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, iodine scrub, or soap and water.

• Never crush a tick with your fingers (can release infectious fluids).

What to Do After Removal

• Save the tick. Place it in a sealed bag or jar. If symptoms develop, your doctor can test it for diseases.

• Monitor for symptoms. Watch for rash (especially a “bullseye” rash), fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain.

• See a doctor if: A rash appears, you develop flu-like symptoms, or the bite area becomes red and swollen.

When to See a Doctor Immediately

• If you can’t remove the tick completely (mouthparts remain embedded).

• If you develop a rash (especially a bullseye rash around the bite).

• If you develop fever, chills, headache, or muscle aches.

• If the bite area becomes red, swollen, or warm (sign of infection).

How to Prevent Tick Bites

• Wear insect repellent (DEET, picaridin, or permethrin-treated clothing).

• Wear light-colored clothing (makes ticks easier to spot).

• Tuck pants into socks (ticks climb up from the ground).

• Stay on trails; avoid tall grass and leaf litter.

• Do a full-body tick check after spending time outdoors. Don’t forget hidden areas: scalp, behind ears, armpits, groin, belly button.

The Emotional Toll (Why This Story Matters)

Here’s what surprised me most about this experience.

It wasn’t just the physical fear of disease. It was the violation. The knowledge that something had been living on Emily’s body, feeding on her, without her knowledge.

She felt gross. Contaminated. Ashamed, even, though she’d done nothing wrong.I felt helpless. Protective. Angry at a tiny creature that was just trying to survive.

We talked about it for weeks. “Can you believe that happened?” we’d say, shaking our heads.

It bonded us. Not because it was fun, but because we got through it together. The panic. The research. The waiting. The relief.

A Final, Vigilant Word

Emily is fine. The tick was harmless. We are more careful now.

We check each other after hikes. We use repellent more consistently. We know the symptoms of tick-borne illnesses.

We also know that panic is not productive. Fear is understandable, but knowledge is power.

So if you ever find a tick on yourself or someone you love, take a breath. Remove it properly. Save it. Monitor for symptoms. And see a doctor if anything seems off.

Most tick bites do not result in disease. Most illnesses are treatable if caught early.

But don’t ignore the warning signs. And don’t let fear keep you from enjoying the outdoors.

Ticks are part of nature. But so are we. And we can protect ourselves.

Now I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever found a tick on yourself or a loved one? How did you react? What did you learn? Drop a comment below – I read every single one.

And if this story could help someone stay safe, please share it with a friend who loves the outdoors. A text, a link, a conversation. Good information is the best prevention.