Ticks

[CLEM]

I keep a pair of tick tweezers in both my Med kits.

 

[Falstaff]

Personal horror of getting Lymes, having seen what it did to a friend who still suffers years later.
I have a couple of different tweezer type of removers but as my eyesight dims and where it is difficult to reach, like my back, then I need something self locating - so I like the look of that card version and the Tickkey.

 

[Pattree]

This arrived recently. Bomb proof and chained to me.

 

[Great egret]

Hmmmmm

Not sure what approach to take re medication. I was bitten a month ago and crushed the thing. This is apparently the worst of responses but I didn’t know it was a tick. Probably too late for antibiotics. The head came out today.

Only a low percentage of ticks are infected.

Just ordered a metal one that looks like a dog tag for my key ring.
I’ll take a look at it and then maybe make a few more.

An EDC prybar is beginning to look a little more rational

You can have your blood tested, and depending on the result get antibiotics. It is never to late for that.

 

[johnnytheboy]

Does anyone carry tick tweezers as a matter of routine?

One of my favourite knives used to be sold with an internal ferro rod. Now it is sold with tick tweezers as standard. You can still buy the ferro as a separate item but you can’t carry both as integrated tools. Clearly the makers see ticks as a priority.

I was bitten for the first time in my life last month and did everything wrong. I didn’t realise what it was and crushed it as I scratched it - but I wasn’t equipped to remove it. I’m perfectly OK so far but won’t be in the clear for two more months!

I don’t carry keychain stuff but might just invest in a pair.

On every zip of every bag!

Started wearing Rovince clothing though, takes care of things!

 

[Falstaff]

On every zip of every bag!

Started wearing Rovince clothing though, takes care of things!

Mmm, looked up Rovince, clearly good kit re ticks but at a price I'd struggle with. Then again, against the uk cost of the Pemetherin sprays it probably works out ok on cost/benefit due to the number of times (60-80) you can wear their stuff before it stops working.

 

[johnnytheboy]

Mmm, looked up Rovince, clearly good kit re ticks but at a price I'd struggle with. Then again, against the uk cost of the Pemetherin sprays it probably works out ok on cost/benefit due to the number of times (60-80) you can wear their stuff before it stops working.

The bamboo top is really nice, you also get bushwear wash in tick repellent if you have existing kit!

 

[Nice65]

Last tick I found on the dog was about small lentil size and the tick twister was in the med kit in the camper and out of reach. I bent a bit of thin wire, paper clip or stripped food tie would do, crimped a fold in the end with pliers and dragged that through her fur. Snagged and removed it very easily.

 

[Falstaff]

The bamboo top is really nice, you also get bushwear wash in tick repellent if you have existing kit!

I haven't come across the bushwash product before, thank you, I'll be giving that a go for sure. I looked up the chemical name and Merck are very clear on it working on ticks which is nice.

 

[Falstaff]

Just bought some Bushwash after Jonnytheboy's pointer - £25 for 5 lots= 25kg of clothing, which will be enough for all my kit. That's about equal to my 2 bottles of spray, which I can now save/use for tents and bivvy bag entrances.

 

[Pupers]

I carry the Lifeventure tick tweezers, which in addition to removing ticks can also double as splinter removers. I've had to use them on myself a couple of times, but mostly used them on the dog. I like them because they are metal, and I can grab the removed tick tightly whilst I burn it (can't do that with the plastic O'Tom)

Never, ever, use heat to remove a tick, alway use a recognised Tick removal tool. Using ANYTHING, like heat, lighter fuel, valseline etc may cause the Tick to regurgitate and if it is an infected Tick…….Bingo!

I do realise you have removed the Tick, but just in case anyone reads it the wrong way.

 

[MrEd]

I have a green twisty thing from the vet, 2 sizes, have used it I myself once and the dog a bunch of times. Have a few scattered about the place and have got into the habit of checking myself thoroughly after any woodland or long grass type walk or a wild camp.

I could also tell a story about leach I got attached in a ‘delicate area’ after washing in a river in Belize, but graphic for the family forum tho.

So tick tweezers/removers. Yes multiple in all vehicles and at home and in my first aid kit and the dogs treat pouch

 

[nigelp]

Just bought some Bushwash after Jonnytheboy's pointer - £25 for 5 lots= 25kg of clothing, which will be enough for all my kit. That's about equal to my 2 bottles of spray, which I can now save/use for tents and bivvy bag entrances.

That’s what I use on my outdoor clothing. Seems to work OK.

 

[demented dale]

Does anyone carry tick tweezers as a matter of routine?

One of my favourite knives used to be sold with an internal ferro rod. Now it is sold with tick tweezers as standard. You can still buy the ferro as a separate item but you can’t carry both as integrated tools. Clearly the makers see ticks as a priority.

I was bitten for the first time in my life last month and did everything wrong. I didn’t realise what it was and crushed it as I scratched it - but I wasn’t equipped to remove it. I’m perfectly OK so far but won’t be in the clear for two more months!

I don’t carry keychain stuff but might just invest in a pai

Am i right in saying that a bite from a lyme disease carrying tick will leave a tell tale ring around the bite and the rest dont so are nothing to worry about? that is what I remember reading I think.

 

[Chris]

Am i right in saying that a bite from a lyme disease carrying tick will leave a tell tale ring around the bite and the rest dont so are nothing to worry about? that is what I remember reading I think.

It often does, but not always.

 

[demented dale]

It often does, but not always.

Thanks Chris. so would it be fair to say that you go and get checked out whenever a tick bites you? DD x

 

[Chris]

Thanks Chris. so would it be fair to say that you go and get checked out whenever a tick bites you? DD x

If it’s been embedded for 24 hours or more is what I was told.

The NHS says to wait until you get any symptoms, but personally I don’t think it’s worth waiting until Lyme disease has kicked in before getting checked out, and some doctors will give you antibiotics regardless. So I would tend to go just in case if it’s been on me for 24 or more.

If you get it off within a few hours then it shouldn’t have had enough time to infect you. The US military reckons it takes 36-48 hours of them being attached https://www.hanscom.af.mil/Portals/57/Lyme Disease_ What you need to know.pdf

 

[slowworm]

I've also read the "get it off you in 24hrs" thing. I've removed a few from myself this year and often get several a year so wouldn't want to keep going on a course of antibiotics each time.

I also thought the red bulls eye marks only show on half of the infections, so not a great indicator.

I try and ensure I'm thoroughly checked each evening, this year the ticks have been tiny (1mm) and hidden away. At least the green tick twisters have got them all off.

I'll also 2nd or 3rd the don't burn, smear, squeeze etc the tick but use a good tool to cleanly pull it out from the mouth.

 

[demented dale]

I have a green twisty thing from the vet, 2 sizes, have used it I myself once and the dog a bunch of times. Have a few scattered about the place and have got into the habit of checking myself thoroughly after any woodland or long grass type walk or a wild camp.

I could also tell a story about leach I got attached in a ‘delicate area’ after washing in a river in Belize, but graphic for the family forum tho.

So tick tweezers/removers. Yes multiple in all vehicles and at home and in my first aid kit and the dogs treat

If it’s been embedded for 24 hours or more is what I was told.

The NHS says to wait until you get any symptoms, but personally I don’t think it’s worth waiting until Lyme disease has kicked in before getting checked out, and some doctors will give you antibiotics regardless. So I would tend to go just in case if it’s been on me for 24 or more.

If you get it off within a few hours then it shouldn’t have had enough time to infect you. The US military reckons it takes 36-48 hours of them being attached https://www.hanscom.af.mil/Portals/57/Lyme Disease_ What you need to know.pdf

Ive been studying it today. says 70 to 80% have the ring. As it develops it looks like a target bullseye. I have never been bitten by one. I must taste naff x