A tick in the box

[JeremyinCzechRep]

I noticed that my garden (in the Czech Republic) has quite a lot of ticks. I think ticks are less common in the UK but I have seen them there (the last time on a hike near Whitby). I would like to know how common they are in the UK and also how you deal with them if you discover them sucking your blood.

[ina]

II think ticks are less common in the UK

Don't you believe it...

There are special little tools for digging them out of you. Otherwise, the advice varies; ne vet advised to smother them in vaseline before taking out - we've used alcohol (any kind of strong stuff you happen to have around) to kill them, which at the same time disinfects the wound.

[Ellendra]

DO NOT use chemicals, grease, burning, or other methods to try and get them to pull out. Its when they pull themselves out that diseases are spread, because their mouthparts are barbed, they have to inject a substance to dissolve the skin they're attached to in order to free themselves.

Instead, use a pair of tweezers, and grip them tightly as close to the head as possible. Pull steadily straight out, trying VERY hard not to squeeze the main body (which would also result in infected juices being transmitted). If you can get them out this way in the first 12 hours, chances are good you won't be infected. After 12 hours they start to "backwash" into you.

If you're bitten by a tick, write it down, along with the date, type of tick or description, and the area it came from. Some tick-born diseases are insidious, they can lie quietly for months, or they might just work slowly enough that you don't make the connection.

Naturally, if you develop acute symptoms of any tick-born illness, seek medical treatment immediately. But be aware that the acute symptoms don't always show up.

[Millymollymandy]

I use a tick remover widget and twist anticlockwise. It always works. I haven't tried twisting clockwise or pulling straight out cos I don't want it to not work so I won't risk it!!!

[wolfsong]

I've been told never to pull them straight out, this will sever the head which becomes infected.
twist either with widget or pencil/finger (depending on size) anticlockwise.
then crush the bugger under a rock, they are pretty hard to kill...
(this saying deespite living in a valley infested with them, i have only ever had a very small one... they don't like my blood)
and the diseases can be very bad, and this one is a killer.

[boboff]

We get loads on the cats and dog, never on any of us though, primarily as none of us go through the long grass with skin exposed!

The problems with sheep diseases coming from them is apparently common on Dartmoor.

[Rosendula]

I remember having getting a couple when I went on a school trip, but I didn't tell anyone because I thought I would have to take some of my clothes off to show them! I was a bit shy back then. So I managed to pull them out myself. I didn't come to any harm, but what I've heard about them since, I think perhaps I was just lucky.

I didn't come across them again until years later when the cat got one. I rang the bloke at the Cats Protection League where we had got the cat, and he said to put a lit cigarette on the tick's bum and it will come out. It worked. But then Ellendra gives a reason, above, not to burn them. The cat never came to any harm, but again, we might have been lucky.

Sorry, that wasn't much help was it

[Ellendra]

I've been told never to pull them straight out, this will sever the head which becomes infected.

After many hundreds of tick bites, I've never had the head break off. Maybe European ticks are different.

[Annpan]

The head breaking off is something I have heard of, but I have never been bitten and they are rife in Scotland. You just learn to cover up - between the cold, the midges, the clegs an the ticks you have plenty of reason to cover up.