THERAPEUTIC
PEARLS
Radiofrequency device for tick removal Karalikkattil T. Ashique, MBBS, DDVL,a and Feroze Kaliyadan, MD, DNB, MNAMS, FIMSAb Perinthalmanna, Kerala, India, and Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia Key words: electrode; radio frequency unit; tick removal.
CLINICAL CHALLENGE Tick bite is a common problem among all age groups in populations coming in contact with animals. It is important to remove the tick intact to avoid complications. A number of techniques have been utilized.1,2 In spite of the best efforts there is a likelihood of the mouth being left behind after removal, which may invite further problems.
Fig 1. A, Tick being removed after being touched with the electrode. B, The affected spot touched in coagulate mode.
From KIMS AL SHIFA Super Specialty Hospital, Perinthalmanna, Kerala,a and Faculty of Dermatology, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa.b Funding sources: None. Conflicts of interest: None declared. Reprint requests: Karalikkattil T. Ashique, MBBS, DDVL, KIMS Al Shifa Super Specialty Hospital, Perinthalmanna, Kerala 679322, India. E-mail: [email protected].
J Am Acad Dermatol 2015;72:e155-6. 0190-9622/$36.00 ª 2015 by the American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2015.01.046
e155
e156 Ashique and Kaliyadan
J AM ACAD DERMATOL
JUNE 2015
SOLUTION We present a modification of the method used by Jang et al, who described removal of the tick using a mildly heated forceps.2 We favor this simple and cost-effective technique. Under local anesthesia, the radio frequency (Ellman Surgitron, Hicksville, NY) electrode in minimal energy mode is brought in contact with the tick, which can then be easily detached (Fig 1, A). It is important to ensure that the device is used at a low power. The affected spot is briefly touched in coagulate mode immediately following removal of the tick (Fig 1, B). The advantage of this technique is its versatility and ready availability of the instrument. REFERENCES 1. Daly JS, Schraf MJ. Bites and stings of terrestrial and aquatic life. In: Goldsmith LA, Katz SI, Gilchrest BA, Paller AS, Leffell DJ, Wolff K, eds. Fitzpatrick’s dermatology in general medicine. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2012:2604-2605. 2. Jang YH, Moon SY, Lee WJ, Lee SJ, Won D. Mildly heated forceps: a useful instrument for easy and complete removal of ticks on the skin. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71:e199-e200.
PEARLS
Radiofrequency device for tick removal Karalikkattil T. Ashique, MBBS, DDVL,a and Feroze Kaliyadan, MD, DNB, MNAMS, FIMSAb Perinthalmanna, Kerala, India, and Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia Key words: electrode; radio frequency unit; tick removal.
CLINICAL CHALLENGE Tick bite is a common problem among all age groups in populations coming in contact with animals. It is important to remove the tick intact to avoid complications. A number of techniques have been utilized.1,2 In spite of the best efforts there is a likelihood of the mouth being left behind after removal, which may invite further problems.
Fig 1. A, Tick being removed after being touched with the electrode. B, The affected spot touched in coagulate mode.
From KIMS AL SHIFA Super Specialty Hospital, Perinthalmanna, Kerala,a and Faculty of Dermatology, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa.b Funding sources: None. Conflicts of interest: None declared. Reprint requests: Karalikkattil T. Ashique, MBBS, DDVL, KIMS Al Shifa Super Specialty Hospital, Perinthalmanna, Kerala 679322, India. E-mail: [email protected].
J Am Acad Dermatol 2015;72:e155-6. 0190-9622/$36.00 ª 2015 by the American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2015.01.046
e155
e156 Ashique and Kaliyadan
J AM ACAD DERMATOL
JUNE 2015
SOLUTION We present a modification of the method used by Jang et al, who described removal of the tick using a mildly heated forceps.2 We favor this simple and cost-effective technique. Under local anesthesia, the radio frequency (Ellman Surgitron, Hicksville, NY) electrode in minimal energy mode is brought in contact with the tick, which can then be easily detached (Fig 1, A). It is important to ensure that the device is used at a low power. The affected spot is briefly touched in coagulate mode immediately following removal of the tick (Fig 1, B). The advantage of this technique is its versatility and ready availability of the instrument. REFERENCES 1. Daly JS, Schraf MJ. Bites and stings of terrestrial and aquatic life. In: Goldsmith LA, Katz SI, Gilchrest BA, Paller AS, Leffell DJ, Wolff K, eds. Fitzpatrick’s dermatology in general medicine. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2012:2604-2605. 2. Jang YH, Moon SY, Lee WJ, Lee SJ, Won D. Mildly heated forceps: a useful instrument for easy and complete removal of ticks on the skin. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71:e199-e200.
