[Fleecewife]

I still can't believe how many people are still using tweezers to get the tick out,
its the pressure on the ticks body that makes it vomit into your body, causing the lymes,

the tic-o-tool has got to be a, must have in the countryside medical bag surly

Good reminder, thanks.  My sons and grandchildren are off camping next week in the wilds so I'll lend them my tic remover.  Never had to use it myself as we don't have tics here, but when we used to do the camping thing we picked them up frequently. Back then we used a glowing cigarette to make them let go and reverse out backwards - if we could find a smoker - but I don't know if that's any better than pulling them out with tweezers.  I did get a horrible abscess once from a tic - no fun.  Hence the removal tool.

[fiestyredhead331]

I still can't believe how many people are still using tweezers to get the tick out,
its the pressure on the ticks body that makes it vomit into your body, causing the lymes,

the tic-o-tool has got to be a, must have in the countryside medical bag surly

the tick itself has to be infected to get the disease, which is usually deer ticks of which we have loads up here. I didn't even notice I had the tick so either it dropped off or I scratched it off but that would have more than likely left the head in tact of which there was no trace.
I remove my ticks (if I find them) with my nails, gripping each side as close to the body as possible and gently pull and twist and this has never in itself caused the Lyme Disease. Using tweezers can cause the head to break off so would never recommend them.

[Fleecewife]

That's how the tick removal thingy works too, for those without enough finger nail to grasp the tic 

[SallyintNorth]

As I understand it, it is essential to not squeeze the body at all and be very very quick.  If the tick is pressed, or thinks you are about to pull it off, it regurgitates - and that's how the spirochaetes get into your bloodstream. 

So to do it safely with fingernails you have to have non-fleshy fingers so that you don't squeeze the body as you 'unscrew' it!

[Greenerlife]

There's some great video on YouTube of how to remove a tick with your fingers by wiggling it round and round, kind of mesmerising it out!  It works too - they come out whole.  Then you squish them (rubber gloves on!).


Ooh - shudder.  Horrible things.

[fiestyredhead331]

throw them in the fire, very satisfying 'pop' when they explode 

10 months of the year i have suitable nails apart from lambing/kidding time when i cut them down just incase i need to intervene

[john and helen]

  the tool only costs a fiver and you get two..1 big 1 small

[cloddopper]

thats a bonus of living in the country and having rural doctors I suppose, they take these things seriously but apparently the palpatations I had last night might not be connected to the Lyme disease so talking about doing a heart trace on me next...oh the joys!

If you have animals get them checked and treated for tic's as well they might be the vector / carriers.

[fiestyredhead331]

IF???..............ha ha  you'd be quicker asking me what animals I don't have

They all get treated for ticks etc as its the deer ticks up here which are the carriers. I get more ticks than the animals do but then I spend a lot of time just sitting in the grass with my herd  and until they license spot on for humans looks like I'm screwed.

anyway, since taking the AB's (doxycycline) my tongue has gone black  but at least I have a bit more energy and the rash has gone down.

[Treud na Mara]

Now there's a brilliant idea - Spot On for humans - I'd volunteer to test it  do you think we could get a grant for the research ?

[fiestyredhead331]

don't see why not, you can get grants for all kinds of useless stuff, we could save the NHS a fortune in AB's etc if we nailed this one 

[SallyintNorth]

  That's actually a good thought TnM

[Bramblecot]

Sign me up for the research , I hate the ruddy things and I am always finding them on me .  It's when you feel that creeping sensation...aagh!

[Treud na Mara]

The $64,000 question is....would it stop midges biting too ?  Now that would be something!

[Cluckinggoodpoultry]

I use neat tea tree to remove them works a treat, that's a bit like a spot on, they hate it and withdraw 


Midges avon skin so soft the blue one