Ticks, boreliosis (Lyme disease)

and natural methods of prevention or therapy (3)

Dr. Mirela Stranț, lecturer Ayurveda

Dr Paula Florea, Ayurveda lecturer

Nina Marin, Ayurveda lecturer

A simple instrument

Fortunately, for some years now, appropriate tools have been available in Romania, with which you can remove very easily and safely ticks, including from pet fur. They come in two sizes for both nymphs and adult ticks.

Gently grasp the tick from the side, twist gently while pulling upwards steadily and firmly.

Once you've removed the tick DON'T drop it on the floor near you. It can bite you again!

You can put it ina container and take it to a specialist laboratory for analysis to see if it is carrying microbes.

Usually the University of Veterinary Medicine has a specialised laboratory or you can ask at a veterinary surgery.

After removing the tick, wash the skin with soap and water and disinfect with rubbing alcohol or propolis tincture.

This is the safest and easiest option, you can do it yourself as soon as you discover the tick, and these tools are cheap, easy to find (online, herbal shops, pharmacies, etc) and you can have them with you at all times.

Another method

Another method is with special tweezers, but it requires dexterity to avoid breaking the tick's head while extracting it. It is also important to place the tweezers as close to the skin as possible to avoid catching it on the abdomen and pressing it, which facilitates the spillage of microbes from the tick's gut into your bloodstream. This method is best used by a knowledgeable or trained person.

Using a needle

You can also use a syringe needle that you insert gently into the tegument near the tick's head and push it out (as if it were a tick).you'd give a boo-boo). With this method you don't risk breaking the tick's head or pressing on its abdomen, but it does require some dexterity and the tick may fall near you and you may lose it.