Children's Health: Tick Tock Doc


Thank you to our reader, who wrote in alerting us to a Facebook video which advises people to remove ticks using peppermint oil. It has been shared thousands of times – and is actually bad, if not dangerous, advice. Columnist, Dr Bridgman explains why...


Now that the forecaster’s heatwave prediction is almost true, children should be enjoying the great British summer and being closer to nature. With this in mind it does seem relevant to mention ticks and Lyme Disease.


Lyme Disease was first recognised in 1975 when unusually large numbers of children were being diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in the town of Lyme, Connecticut USA. Researchers found that most of the affected children lived and played near wooded areas where ticks lived. They also noted that the symptoms typically started in the summer months, the height of the tick season. Some of the children recalled being bitten by a tick.


In many respects, the tick in Lyme Disease plays the same role as the mosquito in Malaria. The Tick acts as a carrier for the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease (Borrelia Burgdorferi). If a tick bites an animal (often a deer) that is carrying the bacteria, the tick also becomes infected and can therefore transfer the bacteria to a human by biting them. Unlike the mosquito, ticks don’t jump or fly but climb onto clothing or skin if you brush up against vegetation or animals that they are living upon.


Since the discovery in Connecticut, other areas throughout Europe and Asia have been identified as high risk. One such area is our local New Forest. Fortunately only a small percentage of ticks carry the bacteria, so being bitten does not mean you will definitely be infected. The tell-tale sign of infection is a distinctive rash, which is often described as looking at a bullseye on a dart board. The rash is red, circular and the edges are slightly raised. It is important if this


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rash develops, to contact your GP so that antibiotics can be commenced which will prevent secondary Lyme Disease developing. Secondary Lyme Disease includes the arthritis first described in Connecticut, but also more serious conditions such as heart and brain inflammation.


To remove a tick, grasp it as close to the patient’s body as possible with fine toothed tweezers and pull gently. You can use a special hooked plastic tick remover (available from pet shops and vets). Take care not to squeeze the ticks body which will expel stomach contents and saliva, which can contain the bacteria.


Do not try to burn the tick off, apply peppermint oil, petroleum jelly, nail polish, olive oil or any other chemical. Any of these methods can cause discomfort to the tick, resulting in regurgitation or saliva release.


Wash your hands, put some antiseptic on the bite centre and be watchful for the target rash.


Dr Mark Bridgman Hadleigh Lodge Surgery www.thehadleighpractice.nhs.uk


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