When removing a tick, it is essential not to compress it. Compressing the tick increases the risk of saliva back-flow. A tick’s saliva contains irritating substances and sometimes microorganisms that can lead to infections, allergies, and disease. Tweezers and many other instruments exert a pressure on the tick that can compress it. The O'Tom Tick Twister does not compress the body of the tick because you use a twisting motion to remove the tick. In addition, the shape of the O'Tom Tick Twister takes into account the tick’s morphology. This tool is made of an unbreakable plastic that's resistant to wear.

The tick’s rostrum (the part that is embedded in the skin and improperly referred to as the tick’s head) is covered with backward-pointing spikes that allow the tick to anchor in the skin. When you pull up on the tick, the spikes rise and lock the rostrum in the skin. The tick may break, leaving body parts in the skin, which can cause a painful inflammation or an infection. By twisting to remove the tick, the spikes bend into the axis of rotation and the tick is easily removed, decreasing the risks of breaking the rostrum.

Packaging: The O'Tom Tick Twister is sold in pairs, one large for adult-sized ticks, and one small for nymph ticks.