Warning-Beware ticks!!

[fullcreel]

I noticed on sunday what I thought was a mole, by monday it was red around the edge. It turned out to be a tick that had got on me, not fed, for some reason, so it did not swell. I had it removed and am now on a course of anti-biotics, as preventative against Lyme Disiese, (there a lot of deer here). So beware, use a good repellent.
Just a warning, I know a farmer in North Dorset who has it, was not diagnosed in time and suffers badly.

[pingu]

good call as will get worse as weather improves

dartmoor is riddled with them
always check kids and myself when home
they are easy to remove if found early but you need tweezers to ensure you pull out jaws as well

aftershave splashed on them oftem makes them let go if early enough as well, or if you are a man a quick flash( and i mean quick) from a lighter or other naked flame and they come away

if they do swell ( there rears are full of your blood so you cant miss), best see doc as fullcreel says

dave1

[Greenheart]

I've had the evil little parasites latch onto me when i've been fly fishing on the rivers Dart & Barle (Lots of sheep about) I've found using a soldering iron works well. It's a bit more precise than a lighter to remove em. Lyme's disease can be fatal, so if you get bitten & feel ill, seek medical attention immediately...

[Wandering_Angler]

This is a real and genuine problem and you really must take care. I had my Encephalitis jab 3 weeks ago. Tiks are a real problem over here and so after some careful consideration and some help from my friend Marius I took the plunge. I have to have a second jab in one month and then a booster every year but to be honest it wasn't expensive, it was very quick and didn't hurt a bit... well worth the effort!

Does anybody else out there worry about the danger that comes from Tiks? If not, consider this:

Lyme disease, which can cause Encephalitis, is an emerging infectious disease caused by at least three species of bacteria belonging to the genus Borrelia.[1] Borrelia burgdorferi is the predominant cause of Lyme disease in the U.S., whereas Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii are implicated in most European cases.

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere. The bacteria are transmitted to humans by the bite of infected hard ticks belonging to several species of the genus Ixodes.[2] Early manifestations of infection may include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema chronicum migrans. Left untreated, late manifestations involving the joints, heart, and nervous system can occur. In a majority of cases, symptoms can be eliminated with antibiotics, especially if diagnosis and treatment begins early in the course of illness. Late, delayed, or inadequate treatment can lead to "late stage Lyme" or "post-Lyme disease" that can be disabling and difficult to treat.

The possibly resulting Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. It can be caused by a bacterial infection such as bacterial meningitis spreading directly to the brain (primary encephalitis), or may be a complication of a current infectious disease like rabies or syphilis (secondary encephalitis). Certain parasitic or protozoal infestations, such as toxoplasmosis, malaria, or primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, can also cause encephalitis in people with compromised immune systems. Lyme disease may also cause encephalitis. Bartonella henselae can also lead to this. Brain damage occurs as the inflamed brain pushes against the skull, and can lead to death.

[devondave]

guys this one is quite close to my heart.....

my girlfriends daughters best friend! has got lyme disease she is only 13 and literally bedridden......its taken the doctors months and months to finally diagnose her problem finally they have her on antibiotics for it but nobody is sure now how well she will recover

heres the link incase anyone is interested

http://www.bada-uk.org/wordpress/?p=326

cheers

dave

[FuerteStuart]

Just a warning to all

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!
Removal of ticks with alcohol, a flame or other old fashioned methods, increases the chances of illness or disease.. it should be done this way

http://www.bada-uk.org/defence/remov...altweezers.php

and only this way.

"DO NOT use petroleum jelly, any liquid solutions, or freeze / burn the tick, as this will stimulate it to regurgitate its stomach contents, increasing the chance of infection."

[fullcreel]

I bought a tick remoavl kit from the vets, less than £4, with a diagram on the back. Methinks there should be one in every tacklebox..

[pingu]

think this is a usefull thread so have made a sticky for the summer at least

dave

[Wandering_Angler]

Again, I cannot recommend strongly enough, going to get the jab. Being able to remove the tick is great but by then the disease could already be in your blood. Not enough anglers take this threat seriously enough!

[Vagabond]

Originally Posted by FuerteStuart

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!
Removal of ticks with alcohol, a flame or other old fashioned methods, increases the chances of illness or disease.. it should be done this way

and only this way.

"DO NOT use petroleum jelly, any liquid solutions, or freeze / burn the tick, as this will stimulate it to regurgitate its stomach contents, increasing the chance of infection."

YES YES YES

That is VERY important.

In the course of our fishing and birding trips we travel in Australia, Africa, South America and many other places - and there are plenty of other nasty diseases you can get off ticks.

Get those tweezers on it PRONTO - once you have clamped the head you are safe from the tick regurgitating into your blood stream.

Never mind if when you pull it out the proboscis is left - that will fester out in a few days (different species of tick have various strengths of joint between head and proboscis)

DO NOT prat about with vaseline, gasolene, heat, or anything else - be a man (or a brave lass) and pull it out physically.

DO NOT allow any medic (however highly qualified) to prat about with vaseline etc either. Pull it out yourself.

A medics real concern is to avoid you suing them if they leave the proboscis in and it festers. Whilst they are pratting about avoiding that issue, they don't care if the tick regurgitates and you get Lyme's Disease or worse - it will (medico-legally) not be "their fault".