The great Australian outdoors beckons with its pristine beaches, lush forests, and rugged trails. But as one Aussie woman's recent encounter reminds us, it's not without its hidden dangers. A seemingly innocuous 'weird splinter' on her stomach turned out to be a blood-sucking tick, leading her to issue an urgent warning to fellow nature enthusiasts: 'It was throbbing... please be aware.'

The 40-year-old hiker was enjoying a remote beach on the South Coast of New South Wales with friends and family when she felt an unusual pain in her stomach. Initially dismissing it as a splinter, she soon discovered the tiny red bump was actually a tick, engorged and wiggling between her belly button and waistline.

An Australian hiker mistook a potentially deadly tick in her stomach for a splinter. Credit: Unsplash

Ticks are not just a nuisance; they can be life-threatening. They can cause severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, and in rare cases, fatality. The woman's friend, Justine, a CPR Kids educator, knew the gravity of the situation and the correct response. She used an ether-containing spray to freeze the tick, which after about 20 minutes, fell off on its own.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of knowing how to deal with ticks. Wearing layers of clothing is often recommended as a tick prevention method, but as this case shows, it's not foolproof. Justine, the quick-thinking friend, pointed out that 'layers are not always a guarantee of being tick-free.'

If you find yourself bitten by a tick, it's crucial to handle the situation correctly. Australian nurse and founder of CPR Kids, Sarah Hunstead, advises against using tweezers or squeezing the tick, as this can cause the tick to inject more allergen-containing saliva. Instead, freezing the tick with an ether-containing spray is the safest method. This spray is readily available at pharmacies and should be used as directed: five sprays from 1cm away for adult ticks. If the tick does not fall off after freezing, or if you are unable to freeze it, seek urgent medical assistance to remove it safely.

For smaller ticks, permethrin cream is recommended. After a tick bite, it's common to see redness and swelling around the bite area, which should subside once the tick is removed. However, if you experience symptoms of tick paralysis, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, dilated pupils, weakness, poor balance, or slurred speech, or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction like a swollen throat or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately.

Ticks are parasites that feed on human blood and can significantly affect human health. In Australia, while most tick bites do not pose serious medical problems if the tick is safely removed, they can lead to various illnesses, with allergic reactions being the most common. In tick-prevalent areas, life-threatening allergic reactions to ticks can be more common than severe reactions to bees or wasps.

As we enjoy the beauty of Australia's natural landscapes, let's stay vigilant about the risks. Knowing how to prevent tick bites and how to respond if bitten can make all the difference. So, before you head out on your next adventure, pack that ether-containing spray or permethrin cream alongside your sunscreen and water bottle. It's a small addition to your kit that could save you a great deal of discomfort and worry.

Key Takeaways

• An Australian hiker discovered what she thought was a splinter in her stomach was actually a potentially deadly tick.
• The tick caused a throbbing pain and redness, and was safely removed by using an ether-containing spray without squeezing.
• Health professionals recommend using an ether-containing spray to freeze ticks rather than using methods that may cause the tick to release more allergen-containing saliva.
• Ticks can cause severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, and it's important to remove them safely without disturbing them and seek medical assistance if necessary.

We at the Seniors Discount Club encourage you to share this information with your friends and family, especially those who love the great outdoors. Have you or someone you know ever had a tick bite? What precautions do you take when venturing into nature? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below to help our community stay safe and informed.

 

[mOiOz]

TIP FOR REMOVING TICKS:
Soak a piece of Cloth / Cotton wool / Tissue.
in
Methylated Spirits / Paraffin / Petrol.
Suffocate by holding on the tick, until it drops off.

 

[janj]

TIP FOR REMOVING TICKS:
Soak a piece of Cloth / Cotton wool / Tissue.
in
Methylated Spirits / Paraffin / Petrol.
Suffocate by holding on the tick, until it drops off.

Thanks for your tip

 

[Barbara V]

The worst pain I ever felt was from a tiny cactus hair,not the spine ones under my nail . Got the pain straight away but they are very hard to see and remove,so now always wear gloves

 

[Joydie]

As country kid, I've had more ticks on me than most, because my friends and I spent time in a 10 acre patch of bush next door. We just used to pull them off and keep playing.

Looking back, it amazes me that I survived childhood. Almost every thing we did as kids has now been named dangerous or deadly

 

[novezar]

Well "Jordie", you are correct. With the way we used to "Play" as young-uns, It's certainly a wonder how we survived at all. No doubt what-so-ever, many, many subscribers here would've been in the same boat of "Living Life" as it should have been. Kids were Kids back then.