Abstract
Objectives: Determine if widely available solutions can effectively kill ticks that may be found in the human ear canal. Methods: This study was prospective, controlled, and blinded. Lone star ticks ( Amblyomma americanum), both nymphal and adult, were submerged in 1 of 4 preparations in test tubes (20/group) for 20 minutes. Ticks were agitated by intermittent probing. Activity of adult ticks was video-recorded during the exposure period. A blinded investigator viewed the videos of adult ticks and directly observed the nymphal ticks during the exposure period to determine the time until death (ie, movement cessation). Mortality was assessed immediately after exposure, and confirmed 24 and 48 hours after exposure. Results: Acetone killed ticks most rapidly (nymph mean time, 185.1 s; adult mean, 562.9 s). Isopropanol 70% (nymphs, 328.9 s; adults, 1128.4 s) and ethanol 95% (nymphs, 294.0 s; adults, 1129.4 s) took longer to kill the ticks. All ticks treated with 4% lidocaine survived. These differences were significant (nymphs, P < .0001; adults, P < .0001). Conclusions: Acetone is the most effective of the tested, commonly available solutions to kill ticks in the ear canal.
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