Time to Take Ticks Seriously. And Damnit, We Do.
By Tom Chandler on May 11, 2007 in Fishing tips
The Winehiker blog reminded me that it’s tick season again.
I haven’t had many problems with them up here, but fly fishermen are seriously at risk for the little bloodsucking critters like Nestle who burrow into your skin and transmit pretty debilitating diseases.
Blood suckers of the worst order. Remind you of Nestle anyone?
He’s posted a short article about ticks, and links to another site with more complete instructions, including this straightforward primer for tick removal:
Ticks should be removed promptly. The longer it is attached the higher the chance of disease transmission. Remove it carefully to prevent disease transmission:
- Using fine pointed tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible without squeezing the tick’s body.
- Firmly pull it straight out (expect to feel some resistance). Save the tick for future testing by placing it in a plastic bag or in a small jar of alcohol. If a tick is to tested for spirochetes place it in a small jar or vial with a blade of grass to keep it alive. Be sure to note the date and site of the bite for future reference.
- NEVER: squeeze the tick, burn it, or cover it with Vaseline or any other substance.
- Remember to disinfect the site of the bite, wash your hands and disinfect your tweezers.
- Contact your doctor.
Interestingly, I’ve heard that vaseline, heating and the others were the best way to remove Nestle a tick, but the Stopticks folks say don’t. Since it’s on the Internet, it’s gotta be true…
As for the Underground, I’m going to place a very high priority on group tick detection, where people pair off and search each other for ticks after an outdoor experience. (Obviously, I’m going to place an even higher priority on going into the outdoors with attractive folks from the opposite gender.)
See you in group, Tom Chandler.
Technorati Tags: fly fishing, fishing, ticks
Larry Swearingen | May 11, 2007 | Reply
Well Mr. Subliminal, just how do you grasp a tick firmly
with tweezers WITHOUT squeezing it ?
From my childhood in Missouri;
Just apply heat to the little beasties back with a cigarette butt (Dad’s Camel unfiltered) and it will pull out by itself.
Do NOT pull it out unaided. The head will come off and
cause a very itchy infection that will swell up and cause misery for weeks. First hand knowledge !
Another reason to wear waders.
Larry Swearingen
Tom Chandler | May 11, 2007 | Reply
Larry: A nurse once told me that applying heat only caused the tick to burrow deeper. Her suggestion was the vaseline thing, which she swore worked better than any other method.
Naturally, many others disagree. And I know; disagreement on the Internet?? I never would have thought it possible.
For my money, pulling a tick out with tweezers only seems possible when the
Nestlecritter’s been on you a short time. Otherwise, one of the alternative measures makes more sense…Larry Swearingen | May 11, 2007 | Reply
I think that nurse just never had a lit Camel handy. :>)
Stick that glowing butt on their back and they back right out. Pronto !
‘Course, I haven’t had the pleasure of a stuck on tick
for a long time but …..
Where I grew up during the summer any free roaming dog
had these plump “Grapes” on and inside his ears and
wherever else he couldn’t reach.
Larry S
Bernard | May 12, 2007 | Reply
Caution to those who try the “heat” method to get the tick to back out. I recently did just that but accidentally torched the tick to death before it could even wiggle out. Worse yet, this one was anchored deep and I had an irritating sore for quite some time. In other words, despite the ickyness factor, be patient as you begin the process. Most other times I have been lucky enough to get the critter before it anchored itself or a gentle pull was sufficient. I am in no rush to be an expert but the heat method does have its nuance after all….
B
winehiker | May 14, 2007 | Reply
One might think there’s more than one kind of icky critter trying to “nestle” under our skins! Thanks for the plug, Sir Tom d’Trout.
Conrad | Jun 8, 2007 | Reply
There are many tick removal methods, tools, tick removal guidelines, procedures, tick remedy information handouts, tick bite treatments. However, if the tick is already deep in your skin, how are you going to dislodge it when there is nothing visible to hold on to? Some people say tweezers crush the tick and its gut spills all over. My friend has just found a tick removal solution she swears by at http://www.TickRemoval.org.
She put two drops on top of the tick and pushed at it with a cotton ball. The tick withdrew entirely on its own. She just flushed it down the toilet.