Spring time is tick time How to protect yourself

How to protect yourself from ticks

15/05/2013

When the sun returns more frequently after the winter, the ticks also become active. Although a tick bite is initially not dangerous, but the small bloodsuckers can transmit unpleasant pathogens, which can sometimes cause serious illnesses such as Lyme disease or early summer Meningo encephalitis (TBE). However, those who often spend time outdoors can significantly reduce the risk of tick bites through simple measures.

Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and FSME
Even a long, hard winter with temperatures down to minus 20 degrees can not harm ticks. Already at plus five to six degrees, the little bloodsuckers get active again and regularly look for new hosts for their meal. In addition to pets such as dogs, people are often bitten by ticks. This is usually safe, but the arachnids can secrete dangerous pathogens with their saliva. Particularly feared is the early summer meningo-encephalitis (TBE), which can be associated with flu-like symptoms and life-threatening inflammation of the brain and meninges. Especially people who spend a lot of time outdoors in the risk areas between April and November, such as forestry workers or foresters, advises the permanent vaccination committee of the Robert Koch Institute on TBE vaccination.

In addition to TBE, ticks can also transmit the infectious disease borreliosis. All organs, the nervous system and the joints of the Borrelia can be affected. There is no vaccine against Lyme disease. But with simple measures tick bites can usually be well prevented.

Measures for the prevention of tick bites
"Ticks lurk mostly on low growing plants, shrubs and grasses as well as in undergrowth. Whet a potential host, let them fall, bite, and suck blood, "Dr. Bernhard Steiner.

In order to protect themselves from the small arachnids, "usually body-covering clothing with tight cuffs on the legs, socks and sleeves is sufficient". In addition, the socks can be pulled over the pants to deny the ticks access to the skin. After the trip to the outdoors, the entire body should be searched for ticks. If a tick is discovered, it must be removed as quickly as possible, because TBE viruses can spread within a few minutes in the human body, Borrelia take about twelve to 24 hours to cause Lyme disease. When removing the tick care should be taken to remove the whole animal. If the head gets stuck in the skin, it can lead to painful inflammation. Most suitable is a so-called tick tweezers, which is available for example in the pharmacy, or conventional tweezers. On supposed home remedies such as glue, nail polish remover or oil to suffocate the tick should be waived, as this increases the risk of infection. The animals emptying their stomach contents into the bite site and release more bacteria and viruses.

If skin flushing or flu-like symptoms after tick bite go to the doctor
If skin redness or swelling occurs around the bite, sufferers should consult a doctor. Normally, this is followed by several weeks of antibiotic therapy, with the duration of treatment depending on the disease stage of the Lyme disease. Even if influenza-like symptoms such as fever and chills occur, medical advice should be sought.

A causal, antiviral therapy against FSME does not exist so far. The treatment focuses solely on the relief of individual symptoms. In severe cases intensive care therapy is necessary. (Ag)

Also read:
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Carefully remove ticks from pets
Tick-risk in southern Germany very high
Doctors: carefully remove ticks with tweezers
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Prevention: Do not panic with ticks