Mum's quick action saves daughter from potential health risks
- Replies 4
The outdoors offers plenty of opportunities for adventure, but it also holds some unexpected challenges.
A recent event involving a family’s trip to the hospital after an outdoor excursion highlights the potential risks for all families.
It's a reminder to stay prepared and aware, no matter how familiar the surroundings seem.
Casey De Farria and her family had enjoyed a weekend getaway at the Beneela campground in Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales.
Little did they know that a tiny menace had hitched a ride back with them.
Only two days after returning to their routine, Casey noticed something alarming while sitting at the dinner table with her six-year-old daughter.
Initially mistaking it for dirt, Casey soon realised that the dark spot inside her daughter's ear was dried blood, and the 'chunk' that wouldn't budge was, in fact, a tick actively feeding.
A closer inspection revealed another tick on her daughter's eyelid, a disturbing find that prompted an immediate trip to the hospital emergency department.
The ticks, which had been feeding for days unnoticed, were in such tricky spots that Casey knew professional medical help was needed for safe removal.
'It was two days later, and we were eating dinner. I was talking to my daughter, and I noticed that in her right ear, it looked like there was a lot of dirt. I was trying to wipe it out and realised it was actually dried blood. There was one chunk that wouldn't move,' she said.
'When I looked closely, it was actually a tick that was actively feeding; that's why there was blood inside her ear.'
'I knew from the spots they were in [on her body] there was no way I'd be getting them out myself... I needed a medical professional,'
After a lengthy wait, the ticks were successfully removed, and thankfully, her daughter showed no adverse symptoms.
This wasn't the family's first encounter with ticks. Casey had previously found one on her daughter's stomach and removed it using a tick freeze spray at home.
Since that incident, the family has taken precautions such as wearing long clothing and using repellent during bush walks. Despite these measures, they were not fully protected.
Casey's experience is a cautionary tale for all parents. 'Even if you're doing everything to prevent tick bites, do thorough tick checks after being in tick-infested areas,' she advised.
And if you find a tick in an awkward place or have any concerns, she stresses the importance of seeking medical attention immediately.
Ticks are not just a concern for animals; humans can also fall victim to these parasites.
HealthDirect warns that while tick bites may seem minor, they can transmit infections that lead to serious health issues.
A tick typically takes four to five days of attachment to inject a significant amount of toxin.
Still, the side effects can be immediate and severe, including difficulty breathing or collapsing.
Although long-lasting health complications from tick bites are rare, they can happen.
Jordan Clark from Melbourne suspects that a tick bite at age 16 triggered a cascade of health problems that have affected him throughout his 20s, including chronic fatigue.
He believes he may be suffering from Lyme disease, a condition caused by bacteria transmitted by ticks.
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance in tick prevention and the necessity of thorough checks after spending time in areas known for ticks.
It's a reminder that while the Australian bush is beautiful, it also harbors risks that require our attention and respect.
Awareness is key for our senior community, who may enjoy gardening, bushwalking, or spending time with grandchildren in nature.
Ensure you have the knowledge and tools to protect yourself and your loved ones from tick bites.
And remember, if you're ever in doubt or find a tick in a difficult-to-reach area, don't hesitate to seek professional medical help.
In other news, doctors have identified the first known case of a deadly new tick-borne virus, wetland virus (WELV), which can cause severe brain infections.
The virus was detected in a 61-year-old man from China who was bitten by ticks during a visit to a park in Mongolia. It has since been found to infect nearly two dozen people. You can read more about it here.
Have you or your family ever had a close call with these tiny but potentially dangerous creatures? Let's keep the conversation going to raise awareness and keep our community safe.
A recent event involving a family’s trip to the hospital after an outdoor excursion highlights the potential risks for all families.
It's a reminder to stay prepared and aware, no matter how familiar the surroundings seem.
Casey De Farria and her family had enjoyed a weekend getaway at the Beneela campground in Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales.
Little did they know that a tiny menace had hitched a ride back with them.
Ticks were found on an Australian girl's ear and eyelid days after a camping trip. Credit: Ladislav Kubeš / iStock
Only two days after returning to their routine, Casey noticed something alarming while sitting at the dinner table with her six-year-old daughter.
Initially mistaking it for dirt, Casey soon realised that the dark spot inside her daughter's ear was dried blood, and the 'chunk' that wouldn't budge was, in fact, a tick actively feeding.
A closer inspection revealed another tick on her daughter's eyelid, a disturbing find that prompted an immediate trip to the hospital emergency department.
The ticks, which had been feeding for days unnoticed, were in such tricky spots that Casey knew professional medical help was needed for safe removal.
'It was two days later, and we were eating dinner. I was talking to my daughter, and I noticed that in her right ear, it looked like there was a lot of dirt. I was trying to wipe it out and realised it was actually dried blood. There was one chunk that wouldn't move,' she said.
'When I looked closely, it was actually a tick that was actively feeding; that's why there was blood inside her ear.'
'I knew from the spots they were in [on her body] there was no way I'd be getting them out myself... I needed a medical professional,'
After a lengthy wait, the ticks were successfully removed, and thankfully, her daughter showed no adverse symptoms.
Since that incident, the family has taken precautions such as wearing long clothing and using repellent during bush walks. Despite these measures, they were not fully protected.
Casey's experience is a cautionary tale for all parents. 'Even if you're doing everything to prevent tick bites, do thorough tick checks after being in tick-infested areas,' she advised.
And if you find a tick in an awkward place or have any concerns, she stresses the importance of seeking medical attention immediately.
Ticks are not just a concern for animals; humans can also fall victim to these parasites.
HealthDirect warns that while tick bites may seem minor, they can transmit infections that lead to serious health issues.
A tick typically takes four to five days of attachment to inject a significant amount of toxin.
Still, the side effects can be immediate and severe, including difficulty breathing or collapsing.
Although long-lasting health complications from tick bites are rare, they can happen.
Jordan Clark from Melbourne suspects that a tick bite at age 16 triggered a cascade of health problems that have affected him throughout his 20s, including chronic fatigue.
He believes he may be suffering from Lyme disease, a condition caused by bacteria transmitted by ticks.
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance in tick prevention and the necessity of thorough checks after spending time in areas known for ticks.
It's a reminder that while the Australian bush is beautiful, it also harbors risks that require our attention and respect.
Awareness is key for our senior community, who may enjoy gardening, bushwalking, or spending time with grandchildren in nature.
Ensure you have the knowledge and tools to protect yourself and your loved ones from tick bites.
And remember, if you're ever in doubt or find a tick in a difficult-to-reach area, don't hesitate to seek professional medical help.
In other news, doctors have identified the first known case of a deadly new tick-borne virus, wetland virus (WELV), which can cause severe brain infections.
The virus was detected in a 61-year-old man from China who was bitten by ticks during a visit to a park in Mongolia. It has since been found to infect nearly two dozen people. You can read more about it here.
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