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.
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