I am sure this info. is somewhere in past posts, but can someone recommend the "best" way to remove a tick.

Also, what to do right after.

Thanks,

AMY

Recent research indicates that some traditional methods of tick removal are ineffective and may even be dangerous. DO NOT use vaseline or heat or a lit match-these will cause the tick to regurgitate and may infect you.

Medically acceptable procedures for tick removal are as follows: grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible ( close to its head/mouth) with a pair of tweezers and apply an even, upward pulling force. If tweezers are unavailable and fingers must be used, they should be protected by disposable rubber gloves or, at least, facial tissue. Do not jerk or twist the tick; this action might tear the head and mouth parts from the tick's body and expose the feeding wound to the tick's body fluids.

Removed ticks should be saved in a vial or jar labeled with the date and location. This information will aid the physician in the diagnosis of spotted fever or Lyme disease should an illness develop.

Id like to add

there is a great tick remover tool I keep on my keychain once offered by the LDA--it looks like a flat strip of metal with a slit on one end and as you place under the tick it lifts it off-called "pro-tick remedy" unsure even if still available

also dont squeeze the body, which may inject stuff into you

and place damp cotton balls in the vial to keep it alive making testing easier.

if the head or mouth parts are left imbedded you'll need medical attention.Some say to leave, others to dig them out-

after, apply antiseptic and/or wash with soap and water. and note on the calendar should sx arise.

here are sites to check out

http://www.lyme.org/ticks/removal.html

http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/Removal.html

I agree with Fin's post. However , I would recommend using blunt tipped tweezer (if possible).

Yes, another tick. Can you just believe that? I was at the park and walked through a wooded area. It was only a short distance. I stayed in the middle of the path, shook my head out, etc. And BAM, 6 hours later, there it was...attached and feeding on my scalp! Fortunately i was at my daughters' dance studio and a PA was on hand to assist in the removal. It was impossible for me to remove by myself. Well, God works in mysterious ways, doesn't he? At least 20 other moms received an education in the proper removal of ticks and how to save them for testing. Ticks were a hot topic of discussion today at dance. Education is everything! I never heard of Lyme until 2006, yet I've had symptoms since about 1991!!

Also, I would send the tick off to Igenex to be tested. I saved my tick, but I don't really need to send him to be tested. I'm going to see my doc on Tuesday. I'll be in good hands. I can't wait to see what the deal is. I've only had two obvious ticks and one not so obvious ( i just remember a red rash back in 97 and more symptoms developing soon after that).

If this happened to my kids, I think I would start them on doxy right away and of course, call my doc. Why would you wait a week or more to see if the tick is infected when you could be setting yourself up for a real nice case of lyme and friends by waiting?

What do you all think of an empiric dose of antibiotics after tick bite?

Post edited by: lymie, at: 05/21/2008 07:57