GET TICKED OFF!

The Paralysis Tick, a native of Australia, is found from Cairns to Lakes Entrance and is a life-threatening parasite of both man and animals.

The tick is very common and can attach to any warm blooded animal including birds and regularly causes paralysis in dogs and cats. The usual hosts however are native marsupials such as bandicoots and possums which have usually acquired an immunity to the toxins.

Spring is the peak season for ticks and is the time when they produce the most toxins during feeding. During the life cycle ticks attach themselves to long grass and bushes and then latch on to passing animals that brush against them. The tick has caused paralysis and death in people but the most common complaint to humans is local discomfort and allergic reactions.

For what it's worth, and whilst not debating the issue, it is only the female that causes all the trouble!

There are a lot of different opinions as to the removal of ticks and there seems to be something of an "urban mythology" about the subject. Some say the tick is more easily removed if first killed with an insecticide such as a household spray which contains pyrethrin (although it's hardly likely you'd have that with you). Others say that personal insect repellants containing DEET such as Aeroguard also works. Then there are the advocates of alcohol (of which I'm one - but not for the killing of ticks!) along with Metho and Kero.

On the one hand it is thought that manipulation of a live tick may cause it to inject more toxin and conversely there is concern that killing a tick by chemical means may cause it to inject more venom.

There is however general consensus that when removing a tick, dead or alive, that care should be taken not to squeeze the body which contains the salivary glands and toxins. The tick has no actual head as such, only jaws or the capitulum, which attach directly to the body.

There is also conjecture as to whether the tick should be quickly removed with a quick pull, gently removed with a steady even pull or twisted out and there is an amazing array of gadgets world wide to remove ticks.

The simplest and most handy are fingernails followed by tweezers. The next most popular seems to be a spoon shaped implement with a small notch that is slid under the tick which is then scooped off and which is available from vets and some chemists. Then comes scissors, a loop of cotton, pencil like gadgets with nylon loops or spring loaded grips, things that look like clothes pegs, and in the US you can even buy gold plated Gripper Tick Kits!

Whilst there is undoubtedly a lot of conjecture as to the best way to remove ticks there is no argument that they should be removed as quickly as possible. And it seems that even if the jaws are left behind in the skin this is usually not a problem and certainly not as serious as allowing toxin to be absorbed or an infectious dose of micro organisms to be injected. If the jaws are left behind they will simply cause an infection in much the same way as a splinter or prickle.

Where possible use gloves when handling ticks, if possible keep the tick as it could be needed for identification , put antiseptic on the wound and if the area becomes more red or painful seek medical help.

Of course prevention is always better than cure and here's a few tips to avoid tick bites:

• When in the bush wear long trousers and long sleeved shirts
• Wear light coloured clothing as ticks are more easily spotted
• Inspect your clothes for ticks and have someone inspect your back
• When having a shower after being in the bush inspect your body thoroughly
• In heavily infested areas inspect children every 2/3 hours especially in and around the their ears.
• Stay in the middle of tracks and avoid brushing against long grass and shrubs
• Use plenty of insect repellant. Applying directly to clothing appears to be most effective.