It's Tick Time

oldfella

US Veteran
Joined
Feb 3, 2003
Messages
1,431
Reaction score
76
Location
South Central Tennessee
A nurse discovered a safe, easy way to remove ticks where they automatically withdraw themselves when you follow her simple instructions. Read this one as it could save you from some major problems.

Tick Removal: Spring is here and the ticks will soon be showing their heads. Here is a good way to get them off you, your children, or your pets. Give it a try. Please forward to anyone with children, hunters or dogs; or anyone who even steps outside in summer!

A School Nurse has written the info below--good enough to share--and it really works! "I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great because it works in those places where it's sometimes difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc."

"Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20); the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away. This technique has worked every time I've used it (and that was frequently), and it's much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me.."

"Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be damaging in any way. I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say, "It worked!"

Please pass on. Everyone needs this helpful hint.

Pete
 
Register to hide this ad
Didn't think about the swab. But the Boy Scout manual, 30 years ago, said to cover it with grease or soap, and it would let go to stick its head up to breathe.

Swab makes sense.
 
Great advice, however prevention of getting ticks is best. There are many good products on the market.

Last May I contracted a very nearly fatal case of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and was laid up for most of the summer. It is no fun!

medxam
 
For prevention, I give my dogs a Vectra 3D treatment. Stuff is pricey, and I can only get it from a Vet.
 
Each summer, my family and I journey to Martha's Vineyard to enjoy the New England summer, the sea and the charm of the island. It is, however, tick central USA. You can see them hanging on the blades of grass at the edge of the beach access paths and don't even THINK about going off the trail through the woods. We don't consider bringing the dog with us; she spends the time relaxing in the local puppy spa. The MV hospital is expert in tick removal and is able to diagnose the entire spectrum of tick-borne diseases. They will consult with major mainland hospitals for this.

I have and carry a fairly well-equipped first-aid kit and the MV adjunct contains a complete array of tick prevention and removal items. I have mineral oil, tincture of green soap (for use in the above-mentioned technique), special tick-removal forceps with very sharp points, gauze pads and cotton balls.

With all of that and my heightened awareness, I got one in the top of my left foot a couple of years ago. I thought I got it all out but I developed a localized infection after we got home. A trip to the emergency room where a bit of knive-work was done to remove the tick's head, which I had left behind. A course of antibiotics cleared the infection and acted as profalaxis for any other bonus infections that may have been left behind.

Make sure you get the whole thing out the first time and be alert for any unusual rashes, especially the ring-shaped rash of Lyme disease. If you do see a rash or develop flu-like symptoms, get seen by a doctor ASAP.

Russ
 
What rcnixon said. However, just remember that over 50% of Lyme disease patients never experienced the bullseye rash, including me. If you get the symptoms see a doctor.
 
We used to just shave the surrounding area, set the rest of the hair on fire with a little lighter fluid and then stab them with bayonettes as they ran out. Wait, tics, the little tiny ones.;)

Actually good info to know.

My nurse is coming to give me my meds now.....:D
 
Back
Top