Treatment is the same as that for mosquitoes; cold water and ice can be useful to relieve itching, although ice should not be applied directly to the skin. A variety of commercial preparations can be obtained from the chemist including Eurax? and Stingose?. In severe cases, oral antihistamines may have to be administered and if symptoms persist, a physician should be consulted. (BACK)

A variety of methods exist to reduce the possibility of tick bite and prevention is best achieved via some form of personal protection. People who bushwalk in tick infested areas need to use an insect repellent, particularly one containing the chemical DEET, and this should be applied regularly to clothing. Wearing light coloured clothing is useful as ticks can be more easily spotted. Bushland locations which are highly tick infested should be avoided. (BACK) See similar questions...

I'll admit to being concerned that I could be walking around with Lyme disease being pumped into me without even knowing it until it's too late. Manitoba's misadventurin' bushwhackin', dog sloggin', dehydratin', beer drinkin' biggie - who's eager to peak bag Mt Currie in a dress No, Nomad you can't feel em bite. They somehow inject something that deadens any sensation. The only way you feel them is when they crawl on your skin. See similar questions...

Lyme disease could theoretically spread by contact with infected blood or urine (for example, through blood transfusions). However, there is no documentation of this actually happening. There is no evidence that Lyme disease is spread through casual contact, sexual relations, directly from deer or other animals, or through air, food or water. See similar questions...

Ehrlichiosis: Doxycycline*** (a semisynthetic tetracycline) at 10 mg/kg of dog's weight (2.2 pounds = 1 kg), twice per day given 12 hours apart for 6 weeks or longer. Sometimes more than one course of therapy is necessary. Doxycycline should not be given with food (milk or yogurt) or additives containing calcium because the calcium will interfere with the absorption of the antibiotic. See similar questions...

The most important thing is to make sure that you remove all the tick, including the mouth parts that are buried in your skin. Also, do not squeeze the body of the tick when you are removing it. This can force its stomach contents into the wound and increase the chance of infection. If you have found a tick, you have three choices: Get someone else to remove the tick for you. If you can't reach it or see it clearly. For example, if it's on your scalp or some other hard-to-reach place. See similar questions...

Any tick should be removed as soon as possible. The best way is to use tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out. Do not squeeze the tick's body when removing it. Do not handle ticks with bare hands. Wash your hands after removing a tick. You may want to apply an antiseptic on the bite. After removing, drown the tick in alcohol or kerosene and keep it in case illness occurs so you can show it to your doctor or send it for identification. See similar questions...

Insect repellent may be applied to the tick, which will kill it. The tick should be removed with the aid of a pair of fine tipped forceps; the tick needs to be grasped as close the skin of the host as possible, and then forcibly removed. (BACK) See similar questions...

You should treat your dog with FRONTLINE® every month to obtain satisfactory protection. If your dog is subjected to high risks of infestation, you may treat it once every three weeks. If you see fleas on your dog after it has been treated, they've been picked up from the environment after FRONTLINE was applied and they'll be killed. See similar questions...

Giant African Land Snails do not have teeth. Instead, they have a rough tongue called a radula, which has special ridges on it so the snails rasp their food rather than chewing or biting it. You can feel a snail rasping you. It is slightly rough, tickly sensation, not unlike the feeling of a cat licking you. It can't do you any harm. Some species (possibly Achatina iredalei) have sharper radulas than others. Snails seem to rasp most surfaces they come across. This appears to see what is edible. See similar questions...

If you know your prescription, then try: Am I Suitable? for a quick check. The only way to know for sure and to find the best treatment for you is to come see us for a FREE consultation. See similar questions...

When a tick is removed, commonly a portion of the head or the mouthparts are left behind. Generally this does not cause any problems as the head of the tick will fall out as the skin sloughs off in time. However, if a local reaction does occur, then a physician should be consulted. (BACK) See similar questions...

If an individual reacts severely to a tick bite, then potentially a life threatening anaphylactic reaction may occur in the future and tick avoidance measures must be a priority. Until recently it was possible for such people to be desensitised, however this is no longer possible do to the non-availability of reagents. (BACK) See similar questions...