World-first spray to remove deadly ticks
A NEW gadget to safely remove ticks embedded in the skin has been devised thanks to groundbreaking research on the northern beaches.
Manly
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A NEW gadget to safely remove ticks embedded in the skin has been devised thanks to groundbreaking research on the northern beaches.
Tick Off freeze spray is the first of its kind specifically marketed for removing ticks, according to allergy specialist Sheryl van Nunen.
She met with PharmaCare four years ago, asking the company to make a specific product for tick removal after seeing preliminary results from a world first study by Dr Andy Ratchford and colleagues at Mona Vale Hospital.
It was found that freezing and killing the tick in place was safer than pulling it out alive with tweezers.
Among some of the conditions ticks can cause is an allergy to meat if the parasite has previously feasted on another mammal.
“The first thing to remember is to freeze the tick, don’t squeeze it,” Professor van Nunen said. “Up until now we’ve only been able to recommend freezing products that are designed to remove skin tags or warts.
“But this product is specific for ticks and is ready to use with full instructions.”
She said that in 2019 the product would come with a magnifying glass to help people see whether they had a tick or not.
The product is already on shelves across Australia.
It comes as a new tick has been identified in Western Australia which carries the mammalian meat allergy. Previously it was thought the only at-risk areas were on the east coast.
Professor van Nunen said the northern beaches, in particular, was a hot spot, with more than 1000 people diagnosed with a meat allergy.
In general those who developed it could not eat meat from mammals, including beef, pork, lamb and kangaroo.
Those with a severe allergy are sometimes also unable to tolerate milk, cheese, lollies containing gelatine, or wash with certain soaps.
Others have developed a life-threatening allergy to ticks.
Professor van Nunen, who discovered the link between ticks and meat allergies, said between her and Dr Ratchford they had seen more than 200 patients with life-threatening tick anaphylaxis in this area.
“These conditions are totally preventable,” Professor van Nunen said.
“The first line of defence is prevention.
“This includes wearing tick repellent, spraying the backyard and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants while walking in the bush.
“If you are unlucky enough to get a tick then removing it safely will reduce your risk.”
If you have a tick allergy, join a private support group: tiarafactsandinfo@gmail.com