In removing ticks, be sure to get the entire critter. Just pulling on the visible parts may leave the head embedded, leading to complicating infections. Some recommend dropping a bit of oil on the body, cutting off the tick's air supply, whereupon the tick will spontaneously withdraw.
You want the tick, the whole tick, and nothing but the tick....
Apparently when you suffocate a tic, if will spit out its contents while getting out. No good if the goal is not getting infected with Lyme...