From 10 degrees there is danger by ticks

Ticks react again when temperatures rise

05/23/2013

Ticks do not like cold, but as soon as the temperatures rise to more than 10 degrees, the little arachnids are active again. Since ticks can transmit diseases such as tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and Lyme disease, it is important to be adequately protected outdoors and to thoroughly check for ticks after walks.

Every fifth tick can transmit Borrelia bacteria
The risk of infection by a tick bite is not to be underestimated: Experts believe that about every fifth tick Borrelia bacteria can transmit - to get more concrete data, was introduced at the beginning of the year now a nationwide registration for doctors. Since then, more cases have been added every day, according to an article on nordbayern.de alone in Nuremberg 18 people have been registered with suspected Lyme disease since April: „We are amazed at how many cases are already happening“, so Dr. Alice Schaffer from the Nuremberg Health Department to nordbayern.de. A nationwide trend is already recognizable, because while the tick-borne encephalitis is transmitted by ticks in southern Germany in particular, Borrelia is widespread throughout Germany, the expert continued.

Ensure adequate protection outdoors
Accordingly, experts advise again and again to dress especially during walks in the woods, at the edge of the forest or on meadows with tall grass, that is to go instead of sandals or barefoot prefer to grab long pants, long sleeves and closed shoes - because it will it makes it difficult for a tick to find a suitable skin site for a blood meal, the information from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin. In addition, according to the RKI, it makes sense to put the trouser legs in the socks, because that's the reason „the ticks are forced to run up the clothes, which makes their discovery easier“.

Thorough searching after each stay in nature important
In addition, Dr. Alice Schaffer, after each stay in nature to search carefully - it should be noted according to the RKI, that the animals „Stitch points such as hairline, ears, neck, armpits, elbow, navel, genital or popliteal fossa“ would prefer. This should be looked at carefully and as soon as an animal is discovered, this immediately - preferably with the help of tweezers or a so-called „tick card“ - to be removed: „Anyone who discovers a tick on Saturday should not wait until Monday, because he only wants to have it removed by the doctor“, so Dr. Alice Schaffer, because while the transfer takes place at FSME immediately, it would take a few hours in Borrelia - so in an emergency, the fingernails as „Tool“ allowed.

„migrans“ indicates infection with Borrelia
With regard to a possible infection with Lyme disease, according to Dr. Schaffer some signs: If there is a red spot around the puncture site with a diameter of five centimeters or more, which is slightly lighter in the middle, this could be the so-called Wanderröte - which in turn is a first sign of infection with Borrelia as the expert explains. In this case, a doctor should be consulted immediately, because if a Lyme disease is detected quickly, it can be treated well with antibiotics. It would be more difficult for the doctor if the infection remained undetected for a long time, because months, even years later, could lead to a so-called „Neuroborreliose“ with ailments such as muscle aches or body aches. (No)

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