In your world health map (January 11), you only mention the US in connection with Lyme's disease. Last June, I was bitten by a tick in France and got Lyme's disease as result. You also advise your readers that the tick should be removed with the use of vaseline, but this can be dangerous as the tick, if suffocated, will regurgitate its stomach contents into the host and with it the bacteria that causes the disease. The tick should be removed as soon as possible with a special type of tweezer, which is for sale in some pharmacies on the continent.

Daan Bruijel

Dr Jules Eden replies: Lyme's disease is a worldwide disease, but it is commoner in parts of the US than in Europe. If an expanding red rash develops after a tick bite then it is important to take antibiotics as soon as possible. The best type being the tetracycline family. If left untreated, headache, neck stiffness, irregular heart beat and even neurological problems can develop. In most cases these resolve in time with no long term effects, but in the unlucky few a long term arthritis will occur.

Of course remove the tick immediately. There are various methods of doing this, but most require skill of the practitioner. If you squeeze the tick, the stomach contents will disgorge into you. If you think you are up to it, pull the skin down and away from the body and pluck it out with tweezers. But most travellers never seem to have these handy at the time. Just use your common sense. It is also wise to use surgical gloves when doing this as some tick-borne illnesses get in to the body through the intact skin of the fingers. Once removed finally disinfect the skin with neat alcohol. Duty free gin will do.

· If you have any questions you want to ask Dr Jules Eden, email travel.doctor@theguardian.com, or write to The Flying Doctor, The Guardian, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER.