Abstract
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the Tick Twister®, I selected 15 tick bite cases where removal was performed with the Tick Twister® (O'Tom) between March 2013 and June 2014. In addition, 2 successful cases are shown and the treatment method is explained. Amblyomma testudinarium was observed in all cases. The success rate was 80%. The average estimated time from tick infestation to completion of successful treatment was 2.1±0.9 days, while the treatment time for the failures was 5±2 days. The average estimated number of days for successful treatment was significantly shorter than for failures (p<0.01, ANOVA followed by Scheffe's post hoc multiple comparison tests). The handle of the Tick Twister® was held in the fingers and the fork end slid toward the tick until it was caught. The tick was removed by gentle double rotation of the handle. This method is fast, minimally invasive, and non-surgical. Use of the Tick Twister® is an effective method for early-phase removal of an Amblyomma testudinarium tick.Skin Research, 13: 387-394, 2014
