Tick bites

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

I think that ticks are icreasing in number due to the fact that sheep dips are not so toxic to them as they once were.
I have been told that ticks pick up Lyme Desease from infected hosts so tiny, 1st instar ticks are on their first bite so will not be affected. Otherwise it is difficult to see how the length of time that a tick is attached will greatly affect the chances of it passing on infection. They inject hosts with a mild local anasthetic and anticoagulant when they first bite so surely any infection will be passed on then.
Dave

I think (but can not quote chapter and verse) that they have to go on injecting anti-coagulant into your body as the meal progresses.

[HedgehogRescue]

Whatever they do or don't do, the population has just been reduced by 18. I took them off a tiny baby hedgehog and squished the lot of them, head first. Splat!

[themaj512]

Hi everyone

I'm a newbie here, but thought that I might be able to contribute to this thread and give some advice from first hand experience. Please go to your doctor if you have any concern over Lyme disease. If possible, get them to refer you to an infectious diseases specialist. It is very easily treatable in the early stages and it is very uncommon to have any lasting effects, if caught quickly. Try to remove the tick as quickly as possible and if you can, keep it - it may come in useful for testing. Not all ticks are infected, so the chances are you'll be OK.

I was bitten by a tick in the Scottish Highlands (a 'hot spot' apparently) and had no recognisable initial symptoms of Lyme. Unfortunately (in my case) it progressed to the 3rd stage and, even after 28 days of very strong intravenous antibiotics, I've been left with CNS damage, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome and need to use a wheelchair if going more than a few yards. Fortunately, though, only a small percentage of cases end up as badly effected as myself - many people have only mild symptoms or have no ill effect at all and make a full recovery even in the 3rd stage of the disease.

I still love the countryside and wildlife and I'm certainly not trying to 'scaremonger'. Just be aware of Lyme and seek medical advice if you're bitten. I wish I had

Take care - Debi

[Brocakat]

Originally Posted by Beekeeper

I suppose a wet suit would be out of the question!

Ian

Maybe - but if one worked regularly in such tick-accessable areas - what about - Tights?