One piece of advice I was given for future encounters - spray the tick with a mortein, kill it quickly before attempting extraction.
I stopped at an ambulance station to see if they could remove it safely, it had been there at least 24 hours before I noticed - der - but they did not have any tweezers.
Getting the whole thing out after it had been burrowing is a challenge. I suspect it was payback from the forces of the evil camphor laurel attempting a takeover along Bulimba Creek as I have been running tneir toxic behaviour down to anyone who will listen.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24617318-3102,00.html
Danger lurks
• Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, is most common from September to mid-summer.
• Only adult female ticks produce enough toxin to cause paralysis.
• Children are most vulnerable to tick toxin.
• Symptoms include local itchiness and hard lump at the bite site. Main sign of paralysis in children is weakness, unsteady gait and/or difficulty breathing.
Human tick prevention
• Use insect repellent liberally on exposed skin, especially on shoes and legs when walking.
• Wear light-coloured pants, tucked into shoes or socks, so climbing ticks can be easily seen.
• Check the body thoroughly after being outdoors. Children should be checked in hair, behind ears, under arms, and in the genital and bottom regions.
Removing ticks
• Apply an anti-scabies cream, such as Lyclear, at least twice, with a minute between applications. Once dead, the tick can be left to fall out itself in a day or so.
• Remove by gripping head region with fine tweezers. Pull firmly and steadily. If mouthpart detaches, it is dead and cannot produce more toxin. Treat the bite site with antiseptic.
Their Source: Mater Children's Hospital, Australian Veterinary Assn
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