" Basically, I would say: "I want to get rid of that tick which is been biting me all day long." I would not say: "I have to be free from that tick." And that is why I would use "rid of" with a cold, rather then "free" (it doesn't https://governmentgreengrant.blogspot.com/2024/08/how-can-pensioners-be-benefited-from.html