I'd certainly welcome any further, referenced information on better treatment regimes than those suggested by CDC or BNF.
Adi, we have had to remove ticks, from walking through the local fells, and always do it with a tick remover (actually got it for our dog). Do you know what the best advice is to put on the small wound?
Ticks
If you have been bitten by a tick (a small arachnid), remove it as soon as possible to reduce the risk of getting a tick-borne infection, such as Lyme disease (a bacterial infection that causes a rash).
To remove the tick:
Use tweezers, wear gloves or cover your fingers with tissue to avoid touching the tick.
Grab the tick as close to the skin as you can, and gently pull straight up until all parts are removed.
Do not twist or jerk the tick as you are removing it because this may cause the mouth parts to break off and remain in your skin once the tick has been removed.
Wash your hands with soap and water.
Using petroleum jelly, alcohol or a lit match to remove a tick does not work.
After the tick has been removed, clean the tick bite with soap and water or an antiseptic, such as an iodine scrub.
Do not scratch the bite because this will cause further swelling and increase the chance of infection. Most tick bites will heal within three weeks. See your GP if you develop:
a rash
a temperature of 38C (100.4F) or over (fever)
You may need antibiotics to prevent Lyme disease.
> Please please do not use these. If you have them keep them for your pets only
What is the problem with the tick twister, Adi? It appears to be an effective way of removing ticks without squeezing the body, since the V-slot can be inserted cleanly between the skin and the tick's body. You say that it hasn't been medically trialled, but have tweezers been medically trialled as being suitable for removing ticks without encouraging infection?
"CLINICAL BOTTOM LINE
Current evidence suggests that a straight slow method is best for removal without leaving the mouthparts.
Report by Stewart Teece,Clinical Research Fellow Search checked by Ian Crawford, Clinical Research Fellow"
We contacted H3D in Souys la Combe, France to check if their Otom.com brand was suitable for use on humans and they sent us a Certificate of Approval (2009) from the French Heath Product safety agency (AFSSaPS).
Interestingly ticks seem to favour certain people.