A Tick tweezers serves the mechanical removal of a tick from the skin of its host. The faster the tick tongs are used, the lower the risk of infection by the tick.
What is a tick tweezer?
Tick tongs are an instrument that removes ticks that have stuck in the skin of humans and pets. In fact, a tick does not bite, but stings in order to then sink its suction tool into the tissue of the selected host. It anchors itself with barbs.
A tick tweezer should ensure that the tick is completely removed. It works purely mechanically by pulling or unscrewing the tick. A special mechanism is used for some types.
Shapes, types & types
There are various aids to removing ticks that have been sucked in, which are colloquially referred to as tick tongs. The most popular of these are tweezers, which are usually made of stainless steel. It enables precise work even on hard-to-reach areas of the body. The tick is grasped close to the puncture hole with the tick tweezers and removed with a brave jerk. If you proceed too hesitantly, the tick may tear off - that is, the biting tools are still in the host while only the body was gripped by the tweezers. Since bacteria from the tick's body can get into the host's bloodstream, it is important to avoid tearing the tick apart and to remove it in one piece. This requires some practice and a sure instinct.
This works best with tweezers on a tick that has bitten itself but has not yet sucked in. The best way to master a tick that is soaked and has a bulging spherical shape is with a tick hook.
The tick hook is split at the front so that it can be pushed under the tick's head. The entire tick, including the mouthpiece, can be removed with one jerk. The advantage over the tweezers is that the tick is not squeezed, so that the risk of transmitting bacteria and other toxic substances to the host is minimized. Tick hooks are usually offered in sets of two in two sizes so that they can be used on large and small ticks.
The tick card is a modification of the tick hook. One of its corners is provided with a gap, which is pushed under the tick's head according to the principle of the tick hook. The tick card is ideal for on the go as it fits in any wallet with its credit card shape.
Structure & functionality
Some tick tweezers are similar to tweezers with tapering, angled leg ends. The angle is favorable for working precisely and ergonomically at the same time. Other tick tweezers, especially for pets, have X-shaped crossed legs. They exert particularly strong pressure on the tick once it has been caught, so that it is ensured that it can be pulled out at the first jerk.
Another very popular tick tweezer is made of plastic and has the shape of a ballpoint pen. It works using sliding technology. Similar to the refill of a ballpoint pen, all you need to do is press the end of the pen to open the pliers. After the tick has been attached, it is pulled out of the host using a sliding mechanism.
Another known tick tweezer works like a noose. The metal loop attached to a kind of pin is placed around the tick's head. As you turn the pin, the noose tightens and turns the tick out completely. The loop technique is designed to prevent the tick from being crushed and vomiting into the open wound. In addition, the entire head is also turned out.
Unlike most home remedies, all tick tongs rely on mechanically pulling or twisting the tick out of the host. It remains alive and must be killed after removal.
Medical & health benefits
Anyone who uses home remedies - such as coating the tick with oil or glue - runs the risk of vomiting in agony and thereby infecting its host through the open wound. Since ticks can be carriers of Lyme disease bacteria and TBE viruses, it is important to avoid infection.
It pays to be quick: it takes about twelve to twenty-four hours after the bite to become infected with Lyme disease. The longer a suction process lasts, the higher the probability of the transmission of pathogens.
Since the tick releases a kind of anesthetic with the bite, the sucking remains unnoticed at first. For this reason, forest walkers, hobby gardeners, dog owners, etc. should check themselves carefully for tick bites after spending time outdoors and remove the tick immediately if necessary. Ticks prefer to stay on the neck and head, in the hollows of the knees and in the crotch. Incidentally, this also applies to dogs, which should also be searched after every walk in the tick season.
The application of home remedies to the tick, such as nail polish remover or lighter fluid, should be avoided for the reasons mentioned above. Only after the tick has been completely removed should the puncture site be disinfected with medical alcohol or an iodine-containing solution.
If the reddening at the puncture site does not soon subside or if it even spreads, it should be shown to a doctor. The same applies if the puncture site swells very much, becomes hot and throbbing.
If you are not sure that you can remove a tick properly, you can have this done by your doctor.
