And I don't mean us humans that consume anything, anywhere at anytime but those little buggers that feed on us, or in this case me. I've been the source of food for many ticks, horse-flies, and mosquitoes.
Although horseflys and to a lesser degree, mosquitoes, cause initial bites and prolonged swelling unlike ticks they do not stay attached given their ability to fly.
Ticks: although sometimes feeding for days before discovery, being small are fairly easily removed; although care has to be taken not to leave their mouth claws embedded in the skin as this may lead to infection. There is always the possibility of contractingLyme's disease(which I hope I haven't as " . . . development of infection is rare" . . . "1 in 50") Diagnosis
Tick Count 2019
Recently (Feb 2016) I had an itchy area on the inside of my left wrist. It took some weeks before I took serious action. (Update May 2017: Still have a tendency for left wrist to be itchy, seems like either a virus or immune issue?) I thought it may be scabies as they breed under the skin and cannot be removed like ticks.
Before Treatment
Scabies are not as such, blood suckers, but burrow beneath the skin to lay eggs and they are not, as I imagined, likely to come from other animals as those are different and not so viable, although see the final paragraph copied below.
No doubt a better term would be flesh eaters though I have found no detail on their diet. Other than a few extracts from wikipedia below a lengthy document can be downloaded from https://www.michigan.gov/documents/scabies_manual_130866_7.pdf
"A number of medications are available to treat those infected, including permethrin, crotamiton, and lindane creams and ivermectin.[6] Sexual contacts within the last month and people who live in the same house should also be treated at the same time.[10] Bedding and clothing used in the last three days should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer.[10] As the mite does not live for more than three days away from human skin, more washing is not needed.[10] Symptoms may continue for two to four weeks following treatment.[10] If after this time symptoms continue, retreatment may be needed.[10]"
. . .
"Permethrin is the most effective treatment for scabies,[34] and remains the treatment of choice.[11][35] It is applied from the neck down, usually before bedtime, and left on for about eight to 14 hours, then washed off in the morning.[11] Care should be taken to coat the entire skin surface, not just symptomatic areas; any patch of skin left untreated can provide a "safe haven" for one or more mites to survive. One application is normally sufficient, as permethrin kills eggs and hatchlings, as well as adult mites, though many physicians recommend a second application three to seven days later as a precaution. Crusted scabies may require multiple applications, or supplemental treatment with oral ivermectin (below).[11][35][36] Permethrin may cause slight irritation of the skin that is usually tolerable.[16]"
. . .
"The most frequently diagnosed form of scabies in domestic animals is sarcoptic mange, caused by the subspecies Sarcoptes scabiei canis, most commonly in dogs and cats. Sarcoptic mange is transmissible to humans who come into prolonged contact with infested animals,[55] and is distinguished from human scabies by its distribution on skin surfaces covered by clothing."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scabies
See Borax treatment
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