The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: FiB on June 28, 2012, 10:47:06 am
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Most of you will know about Tics, safe tic removal (I really recomend keeping a tick twister handy) and watching out for signs of Lymes Disease, but for those that dont - please have a quick look at this poster (Lymes is really horrible but treatable if caught early)..... http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/ldap2.pdf (http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/ldap2.pdf) Cheers, Fi
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Be aware that not everyone shows the typical rash. And if you don't you may well get the GP saying "oooooo, no need to test, it's very rare" >:(
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Thanks for the info. I have never had a tick myself but my dog gets them all the time. Never successfully removed one on him.
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Hate the things.........does Frontline work on humans ? Only kidding but you never know, especialy in long grass!
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We can remove them with tweezers but when we were on holiday on Exmoor last year someone at the visitor centre recommended the plastic purpose designed tick remover that they sold for a few pounds. It was brilliant ..... easy to use and effective. Good job because I have never seen so many of the blighters. :o
I was bitten by ticks when expecting my first baby. A little girl, who we lost when I was 6 months pregnant. I was tested for Lymes and although the test was negative, I was told that ticks could potentially carry many diseases/bacteria that could affect the unborn baby. Nothing could be proved conclusively but it has made us very aware of possible complications of being bitten. Perhaps better to be safe than sorry and to follow the safety advice ..... easy to dismiss if you are outdoor type people.
Thanks FiB.
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Thanks for the info. I have never had a tick myself but my dog gets them all the time. Never successfully removed one on him.
Get a tick twister - they are fantastic :thumbsup: you just line it up under the tic and twirl gentle - they come off with no resistance our cat doesnt even notice if we do it while she is asleep - she is a bit feisty when awake!).
Lots of GPs are getting more clued up - ours offered me a single dose Precautionary antibiotic for my son which I accepted (his first ever antibiotic in 10 years of life) - I wouldnt have taken him but it was before I had a tick twister and some mouth parts got left behind which needed digging out. :o . I have to say it was such a relief , not having to wonder/work out if he had or hadnt got it. Its far more common than some think. I know 4 people who have/have had it and it is a long term thing - prevention definately easier than cure!
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NEVER twist ticks, it makes them regurgitate and then they put the full load of whatever bugs they have in them into you. People talk about bits of the mouthparts being left in as the biggest problem. This is an insignificant problem, it may cause a small local infection that could be dealt with by tea tree oil. The problem is getting what the tick carries.
I have Lyme's disease. Forever.
Most doctors don't recognise it and it can't always be got rid of if treated though you stand a better chance if you catch it early on. It needs 3 weeks of high dose antibiotics to stand a chance of getting it and even then......
some Lyme's information (http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/resources/for-the-public/)
tick removal - pull, don't twist (http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/about-ticks/tick-removal/)
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NEVER twist ticks, it makes them regurgitate and then they put the full load of whatever bugs they have in them into you.
tick removal - pull, don't twist (http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/about-ticks/tick-removal/)
Sorry that u have it JayKay, I know how debilitating it can be.
You DO twist with a tick twister though (see poster), or push slightly with a tick removal card ( Both of which scoop gently under the tic , as near to your skin and its mouth parts as possible, to encourage it to let go.
Having worked in the woods for lots of years now, Ive tried a few removers and this is the one I like best so far.. http://www.otom.com/otom-tick-twister-instructions (http://www.otom.com/otom-tick-twister-instructions)
I would say that twisting OR pulling with your fingers or normal tweezers grasping the body would be disasterous as it makes them sink their bits in futher as well as the regurgitation bit. If you dont have a tick remover or very fine tipped tweezers - id recomend finding someone who does (and then buying one for future use).
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Would smothering them in vaseilne or alcohol make them regurgitate? That is the usual method of removal for gundog folk? (we've always got sloe gin with us ;) )
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--its one of the 'DO NOT' s in the poster I attached so I guess there is a chance (especially with the vaseline which could involve pressing the body of the tic). Id drink the gin and buy a tic twister myself!! ;D
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It really is confusing. I followed the various links and they seem to say 'don't twist' but then demonstrate how to remove a tick by twisting ??? Could it be that you mustn't hold the whole tick and twist as that would remove the body but leave the mouth? The green remover goes underneath the body and twisting seems to be the way. Heavens, when I think how many ticks we removed with cigarette butts, alcohol, tweezers etc on our camping trips :o :o
Thank you FiB for highlighting this. Even though we don't have ticks on our land (phew) I will send off for one of the green wonders :thumbsup: .
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The trick is to take them by surprise.Finger and thumb nail and a sharp tug, without fiddling about with them beforehand.Then stamp on the little beggar >:(
Guinea Fowl are good at clearing land of ticks :)
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I never get to find my tick puller, when I see one I supprise it with a very quick pull....horrid things..Strange how its the tiny things that get to us the most, Ticks and Midges >:(
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Even with the tick removers, you just pull. The green remover goes under the body and then you PULL hard. The link I posted says don't twist too.
Annie yes, you mustn't burn or smother them.
Basically you're aiming at distressing the little b#€%+¥$ the minimum possible, to avoid regurgitation. Until you've got them clear of course >:(
Second drinking the gin ;)
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Noooo--ooo.... you really do twist!!! In fact you mustnt pull (see link below) if you can help it (because of the risk of leaving mouth parts behind)
http://www.otom.com/otom-tick-twister-instructions (http://www.otom.com/otom-tick-twister-instructions)
- on the link you posted it only says pull if you have to resort to using fine tipped tweezers (alternative method)... If you scroll down to the video on your link its shows removal.
Happy tic busting folks!! A fine tea time post!
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Yep, just had a look at my tick remover. It's the same as yours FiB. It goes under the body and definitely says to twist. Seem to remember that you did't twist much though and the little devils soon popped off .
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I was bitten by ticks when expecting my first baby. A little girl, who we lost when I was 6 months pregnant. I was tested for Lymes and although the test was negative, I was told that ticks could potentially carry many diseases/bacteria that could affect the unborn baby. Nothing could be proved conclusively but it has made us very aware of possible complications of being bitten. Perhaps better to be safe than sorry and to follow the safety advice ..... easy to dismiss if you are outdoor type people.
Thanks FiB.
So sorry to read this In the hills :( My husband found a tic on me after we'd been out walking when I was heavily pregnant with Milli, my eldest. I told him off at the time for being "a panic merchant" but having read what you have said here, I was far too complacent - and very lucky, it seems xx
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That's very sad ITH :-* It's frightening isn't it :-\
Definitely the best advice is not to get them in the first place, since by the time you're removing them the damage could be done :P
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Thank you both and sorry that you have it Jaykay.
Good that there now seems to be more publicity about it and that FiB's son was treated.
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I am worried too, my three get the odd tick and I take them off as quick as possible but never really thought about illness even though I do know about it!!
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I know this thread is from last month but as we've just come back from Exmoor and my OH had a tick on his leg this morning (been there all night, yuk) I thought I'd add a UK link for tweezers and a helpful web site.
http://www.bada-uk.org/products/tickremover.php (http://www.bada-uk.org/products/tickremover.php)
http://www.tickbitepreventionweek.org/what-is-a-tick.html (http://www.tickbitepreventionweek.org/what-is-a-tick.html)
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I have the remover from your first link.
I was on Exmoor when I found 3 ticks on my leg and on a different visit there, my 2 year old daughter was bitten on her chin ...... she was wearing one of those waterproof all in one suits, with the hood up! Hardly any exposed skin.
On our visit there last spring our dog was constantly covered in the things.
Obviously a tick hot spot. >:( Revolting things.
Hope your OH is okay.
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Not only is Exmoor a tick hotspot, I'm told it's now a Lyme disease hotspot. It is thought that most of the working collies there have Lyme Disease.
So if you got a tick bite in Exmoor, I'd get yourself off the doctor and get the antibiotics. Pronto.
And to avoid the little blighters (for those who won't read all those good links), DON'T walk through bracken in sheep or deer country (this means don't walk in bracken on Exmoor), wear long trousers and sleeves, tuck your trousers into your socks, and when you get home, get stripped off and showered and inspect yourself thoroughly. They like moist warm places, so I mean thoroughly and it'll need a mirror (or a helper) and a lack of inhibition! ;)
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Just making folks aware :thinking:
Just had my Hubbie to doc, he has Lymes Disease, hopefully we have caught it in time!
It's just one thing after another :-[
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Goodness me! He has the worst luck! What a shame! I hope they can dose him up and get the infection cleared and is on the mend soon.
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Just making folks aware :thinking:
Just had my Hubbie to doc, he has Lymes Disease, hopefully we have caught it in time!
It's just one thing after another :-[
:hug:
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Nasty, wishing him a quick clearance of the disease.
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Hope he's OK mc,
Stroking cat recently felt a lump, thas what I thought it was till I looked closer.
Luckily had still had a remover from years ago.
He goes hunting in neighbours sheep field/barn
Nasty.