What I learned TodayWhat I learned Todayhttp://www.lucywightman.com/what-i-learned-today/2009-08-14T11:36:54ZSquarespaceDeer Tick Bite Myths and Informationhttp://www.lucywightman.com/what-i-learned-today/2009/6/30/deer-tick-bite-myths-and-information.htmlLucy Wightman2009-06-30T10:56:02Z2009-06-30T10:56:02ZToday I learned a few things about ticks and resolved som myths. 

They are ectoparasites in the arachnid family, meaning, parasites that live outside of the “host” (ew) in the spider family.  No wonder I took such interest!  I also learned there are better ways to remove a deer tick than one might think, because if you grab and twist its little neck, the thing will implode and then regurgitate its saliva and cement into your flesh, and we wouldn’t want that. 

 

MYTH #1 You have to get the head out

The cement used to hold onto their new home and feeding ground, and the leftover mouth shards will work themselves out, so one does not have to dig away with things like safety pins and tweezers. (see below) 

No, the tick is long gone from its embedded, cozy, warm home in this image.

MYTH #2  Slather creature with petroleum based oinment and burn it.

It DOES NOT help to use ointments, or to crisp the critter with a match,  but if you do it is advisable not to do both and have a plastic surgeon handy for the after effects. 

 

MYTH #3 You don’t feel the sneaky bastards

It is hard to believe that anyone could miss being befriended by a deer tick because the small digger hurts once it latches on and starts tunneling. I woke up and thought the right side of my body was whacked with a baseball bat.

 

MYTH #4 Save the corpse

No, don’t bother, unless it gives you pleasure, maybe as a carry along show-and-tell.  Labs no longer test the actual, crumpled tick body.

 

MYTH #5 Deer ticks are microscopic

No, they really aren’t and my vision sucks so not to worry.  Once they have carved through the tissue beloe your skin they might be hard to see.

 

MYTH #6 You must rush to an emergency room right away

Do not waste their time and resources unless you cannot breathe.

 

MYTH #7 You must go on antibiotics

If you remove the flat and industrious deer tick soon enough you will be fine.  Soon enough means before it becomes engorged with your blood.  Generally speaking, you have a maximum of 48 hours, but the sooner the better, and then watch for the “bullseye” rash that can occur around the deserted home when lyme disease develops.

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