Thread: Ticks & Allergies

My daughter suffered nearly 300 tick bits while inspecting trees for a development application in the northern suburbs of Sydney recently (tick central) and because of the bits had an allergic reaction.

While reserching ways to prevent and help clear up the marks and ease the itchy bits, Nessie came across a way to kill the tick without it injecting it's toxic protein, which is the main cause of allergic reactions.

This is an extract from the web page.
Reducing the risk of tick bites
The following measures may reduce the risk of tick bite:
o Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers when walking in areas where tick occur
o Tuck trouser legs into long socks
o Wear a hat
o Wear light clothes; this makes it easier to see ticks
o Brush clothing before coming inside to remove ticks
o Undress and check for ticks daily, checking carefully in the neck and scalp
o An insect repellant may help, particularly ones containing DEET (eg. Rid, Rid Tropical)
o In those allergic to ticks, carrying a spray can of "Aerostart" (see below), emergency medication (EpiPen) and a means of summoning assistance (such as mobile telephone), are essential components of management.

What to do when you are allergic to ticks and find one
Disturbing the tick can result in the injection of allergen, and can trigger an allergic reaction. The following steps are recommended:
o Do not forcibly remove the tick*
o Do not try to kill the tick using insecticide or chemicals (eg. oil, turpentine, methylated spirits)
o Do kill the tick by spraying it with "Aerostart", an ether-containing spray that freeze-dries the tick and kills it instantly. This allows the tick to fall out without being able to inject allergen-containing saliva. "Aerostart" can be purchased from hardware stores and some service stations, and is commonly used by mechanics to clear carburetors.
o Use EpiPen if potentially dangerous allergic symptoms occur.
o Seek medical attention in case additional treatment is required.

So who would of thought that, not me, i've used it heaps of times to start engines and clean stuff, but never thought you could use it to kill ticks.

Ya live and learn, this will be another addition to our first aid kit.

Baz.

Originally Posted by Redback

My daughter suffered nearly 300 tick bits while inspecting trees for a development application in the northern suburbs of Sydney recently (tick central) and because of the bits had an allergic reaction.

While reserching ways to prevent and help clear up the marks and ease the itchy bits, Nessie came across a way to kill the tick without it injecting it's toxic protein, which is the main cause of allergic reactions.

This is an extract from the web page.
Reducing the risk of tick bites
The following measures may reduce the risk of tick bite:
o Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers when walking in areas where tick occur
o Tuck trouser legs into long socks
o Wear a hat
o Wear light clothes; this makes it easier to see ticks
o Brush clothing before coming inside to remove ticks
o Undress and check for ticks daily, checking carefully in the neck and scalp
o An insect repellant may help, particularly ones containing DEET (eg. Rid, Rid Tropical)
o In those allergic to ticks, carrying a spray can of "Aerostart" (see below), emergency medication (EpiPen) and a means of summoning assistance (such as mobile telephone), are essential components of management.

What to do when you are allergic to ticks and find one
Disturbing the tick can result in the injection of allergen, and can trigger an allergic reaction. The following steps are recommended:
o Do not forcibly remove the tick*
o Do not try to kill the tick using insecticide or chemicals (eg. oil, turpentine, methylated spirits)
o Do kill the tick by spraying it with "Aerostart", an ether-containing spray that freeze-dries the tick and kills it instantly. This allows the tick to fall out without being able to inject allergen-containing saliva. "Aerostart" can be purchased from hardware stores and some service stations, and is commonly used by mechanics to clear carburetors.
o Use EpiPen if potentially dangerous allergic symptoms occur.
o Seek medical attention in case additional treatment is required.

So who would of thought that, not me, i've used it heaps of times to start engines and clean stuff, but never thought you could use it to kill ticks.

Ya live and learn, this will be another addition to our first aid kit.

Baz.

Gee 300 bites, thats a hell of a lot of ticks, i thought up here on the north coast was tick central, during last years season I averaged 40 ticks per dog each time the buggers went down to the dam for their morning walk,
Funny your info says wear light clothes , i do the opposite wear dark clothes, seems to work for me, but not the black dogs.
The tick catchers around here use white sheets that they spread on the ground as the ticks are apparently attracted to the white.

Will give the aerostart a go, i usually use fly spray it works fine, don;t have too much trouble with the dogs though as i use Preventic collars , they have amitraz in them, this stuff paralysises the ticks probosis and if they can;t feed. and eventually die.having tried wearing one myself yet.

and getting them out, still use the same as on the dogs 'tick hooks' two twists and they are out.

john