Ticks

Do not pull a tick off or use tweezers. Freeze and kill it with an ether-containing spray from a pharmacy, and let it drop off or brush the dead tick away. If you cannot, leave it and see a doctor.

• Do not use methylated spirits, alcohol, kerosene or a flame on a tick. Disturbing it can make it release more toxin or allergen.
• Do not use the freezing spray on a tick close to the eyes, the genitals or inside the ear canal. See a doctor instead.
• Tick paralysis is rare in people, because the tick must stay attached for several days.
• If you are allergic to ticks, get urgent medical help to have it removed in a hospital emergency department. For breathing trouble or collapse, use your adrenaline injector and call 000.
• See a doctor for a rash or swelling, fever, feeling weak or unsteady, double vision, or trouble breathing or swallowing.

SourcesANZCOR — ticks, bees, wasps and ants (9.4.3)·ASCIA — tick allergy·Better Health Channel — bites and stings first aid