posted
I just received the following in an email and I was worried that it might not be good advice. Can anyone help me out? ________________________________________________ A School Nurse has written the info below -- good enough to share.
I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great , because it works in those places where it's sometimes difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc.
Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20), the tick will come out on it's own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away.
This technique has worked every time I've used it (and in KY, that was frequently), and it's much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me. Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be damaging in any way. I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say, "It worked!"
Posts: 160 | From Abington, PA, USA | Registered: May 2005
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posted
I haven't heard of using liquid soap to remove a tick. Sounds easy, but I'd be afraid to depend on it.
When a tick bites, it secretes a cement-like substance to adhere to the person. When it has finished feeding, it secretes another substance to release the "glue".
If the soap makes the tick secrete the substance to release the "glue", then it seems bacteria could be released into the bite if the tick is infected.
In removing the tick, never do anything that may cause the tick to regurgitate into the bite. If the tick has bacteria, protozoa, etc in the salivary glands, it can immediately transmit the disease(s).
Of course, all ticks do not carry Lyme and/or co-infections, but all ticks have to handled as if they have the disease(s).
Just my unofficial opinion.
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
never read this one before ?? Bettyg
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Absolutley dont use this anything that makes the tick regurgitate to break its glue down is a NoNo.
NEVER use petroleum jelly, fingernail polish, a lit match, rubbing alcohol,soap, or similar substances to remove a tick. These methods are not effective and may cause the tick to regurgitate into the bite wound.
It takes time for ticks to insert their mouthparts and secrete a glue-like substance called attachment cement. The cement will harden and helps to further anchor the tick firmly in place.
Proper way for removal.
The wrong way
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
quote:Originally posted by treepatrol: [QB] Absolutley dont use this anything that makes the tick regurgitate to break its glue down is a NoNo.
NEVER use petroleum jelly, fingernail polish, a lit match, rubbing alcohol,soap, or similar substances to remove a tick. These methods are not effective and may cause the tick to regurgitate into the bite wound.
QB]
absolutely correct!! Please tell this well-meaning nurse she is all wet!
PS/..I received the same email and let my sender know the score. Maybe we should counteract this email with the CORRECT information.
editing to add....I meant that one of us should begin a new email send-out with the CORRECT method of removing a tick. Information on Lyme disease could be included. Maybe thousands upon thousands of people would read it.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
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