Health The time of the ticks has begun

Health experts recommend protective measures in the beginning tick season

30.03.2011

Time and again, experts have warned in the past few weeks that the ticks will become active again as the weather gets warmer. By adhering to a few basic rules, however, the risk of a tick bite and the risk of disease transmission can be minimized, stressed the head of the health department at the Unterallguer Landratsamt, Dr. med. Wolfgang Glasmann, opposite the newspaper „Augsburger Allgemeine“.

Since a tick bite (tick bite) can also be transmitted diseases such as Lyme disease or an early summer meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain / meninges), especially people who often work outdoors or spend their free time here, should observe some protection rules, experts point out , Not only for the prevention of tick bites but also for the removal of attached ticks, the details are crucial to minimize the risk.

Risk of tick bites across Germany very different
First, it should be noted that the major health risk of tick bites is the transmission of dangerous pathogens, especially Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). However, the risk of TBE after a tick bite is very different in different parts of Germany. According to Dr. Glasmann are currently classified 136 of the 440 counties and independent cities in this country as TBE risk areas. Since 1998, the number of these risk areas had doubled from 63 at that time, said the expert. According to the medical profession in southern Germany, the risk of TBE illness is particularly high due to a tick bite. „In southern Germany, the cases are concentrated, in northern Germany, there are virtually none“, explained Dr. Glass man. Most TBE risk areas extend over Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and parts of Thuringia.

Appropriate clothing helps protect against ticks
Contrary to popular belief that ticks can be dropped from trees, the little bloodsuckers usually wait for their victims in meadows, grass and shrubs. Climatically, the ticks feel particularly well in areas with high humidity according to the expert. Most of the small arachnids crawl up grass blades and as soon as a human or an animal passes by, the ticks stick to it. The most widespread species of ticks in Europe is the common wood buck, which is also the main bearer of the FSME. To protect themselves from ticks while out in the open, experts recommend body-covering clothing - long-sleeved tops and long-sleeved trousers with closed cuffs and sturdy footwear. Upon return, the whole body should be thoroughly searched for the little bloodsuckers. Often, the ticks do not bite immediately too tight, but wander over the body and look for soft skin folds such as the back of the knee, armpits or groin, said the expert.

Remove ticks with small forceps or ticks
Anyone who discovers a tick bite should remove the adhering bloodsucker immediately with a narrow tweezers or a pair of ticks, advise the experts. Quick action minimizes the risk of Lyme disease or TBE disease. In the first 24 hours after the tick bite, Glasmann can hardly be transmitted with pathogens. The treatment of the tick with oil or glue as well as rotations or bruises of the animal during removal is foreseen, because otherwise increased pathogens are expelled into the wound. It is also important to ensure that the tick is completely removed in order to minimize the transmission risk and to avoid inflammation. Those who do not trust the removal of the tick should seek help from the doctor, Dr. Glass man. In addition, the expert recommends to observe the puncture site in the first weeks after the tick bite. A conspicuous redness of the bite wound may indicate inflammation, a gradually spreading red spot around the wound, but is a typical sign of Lyme disease, the expert emphasized. In both cases, according to Dr. Glasmann also ordered the consultation of a doctor.

TBE by tick bite - In case of symptoms, urgently consult a doctor
The risk of infection with a tick bite is particularly high, since the sucking process indigestible food remains of the blood are delivered into the wound of the host. Lyme disease and TBE are threatened with extremely long-term health consequences. Recently, Dr. Reinhard Kaiser, chief physician of neurology at the Municipal Hospital Pforzheim at a press conference of the University of Hohenheim reported that of the TBE patients „around 70 percent (...) lengthy consequential damage“ suffer. Initial flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches can result in severe health problems such as paralysis, difficulty breathing, impaired consciousness, speech and balance disorders, or even coma or death in the absence of treatment. According to the neurologist suffers „Half of the patients (...) even ten years after the infection from paralysis, respiratory failure, balance disorders or swallowing and speech disorders“. In addition, 30 percent of the study participants in a long-term study died within ten years of the consequences of the tick-borne encephalitis, explained Dr. med. Reinhard Kaiser.

Risk of chronic borreliosis after a tick bite
The risk of transmitted by ticks borreliosis is not to be underestimated in the opinion of the experts. Although Lyme disease is relatively easy to treat with antibiotics in the initial phase, the disease is often not treated as such. It threatens a chronic disease, in which the Lyme disease pathogens begin to scatter in the body and numerous other symptoms such as changing joint pain, touch disorders, impaired vision and heart problems can cause the borreliosis not only other organs, joints and muscles but also Attack the central and peripheral nervous systems, experts warn. Typical of Lyme disease is the so-called Wanderröte, which usually manifests itself to the tick bite as a large red spot, but in the further course of the disease can wander on the body. If you notice signs of borreliosis after a tick bite, you should also consult a doctor urgently. (Fp)

Also read:
Ticks are best removed with tweezers
TBE and Lyme disease by tick bites
Prevention: Do not panic with ticks
Health: No vaccination against ticks

Picture: Jens Bredehorn