Protection against ticks while staying in the countryside

Ticks as a disease vector: Take care when staying outdoors

05/30/2013

Ticks are feared as potential transmitters of infectious diseases, with Lyme disease and so-called tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) being responsible for the ticks' reputation as a dangerous disease carrier. For example, the growing spread of TBE risk areas in Germany has been the subject of much discussion over the past few years, and particularly those who spend a lot of time outdoors in the vulnerable regions have been warned against health risks.

The little bloodsuckers lurk in the meadows, at the edges of the forest and in the undergrowth until a suitable host comes along, to which they can attach themselves. The ticks then preferentially look for protected skin folds on the body of the host and begin to liven up the blood of the wearer. The tick bite is painless for those affected and so the animals are also often unnoticed by humans. During blood suctions, the body of the ticks swells several times, which makes it much easier to find the parasites after some time. If the ticks have enough blood or food, they release their bite and fall off by themselves. The process would be completely harmless to humans if no pathogens were transmitted to the wound during the process of blood sucking. But in recent years, more and more ticks have been shown to carry Borrelia (the cause of borreliosis) and TBE viruses, causing a corresponding increase in the risk of disease after a tick bite.

Tick ​​protection through appropriate clothing
Although even today most tick bites are harmless, the concern about a disease of Lyme disease or FSME is quite understandable and in case of unusual disease symptoms after a tick bite urgently a doctor should be consulted. First, however, care must be taken to ensure adequate protection against ticks while outdoors, in order to minimize the risk of a sting from the outset. When staying on meadows or in the undergrowth, special attention should be paid to body-covering clothing. Long trousers (ideally with tight cuffs or in the socks), solid closed footwear and long-sleeved shirts already provide a relatively good protection here. Bright clothing is also recommended, as the tiny bloodsuckers on her can be better detected. In addition, special insect or tick repellents can be purchased in the pharmacy. These are applied to the skin and clothing to keep the ticks out, but also provide limited protection.

Remove adhering ticks with a suitable tool
As there is no one hundred percent protection against tick bites, despite all the security measures taken while out in the open, the body should be thoroughly examined for any ticks that may be adhered to after return. If a tick is discovered, it should be removed as soon as possible, whereby bruising or rotation of the animal should be avoided as far as possible, otherwise the animals may empty their stomach contents together with contained pathogens into the wound or the head of the animal may be torn off and stuck in the wound. Well suited for the removal of the animals is a narrow tweezers, a pair of ticks or a so-called tick cards. If the attached tick has been successfully resolved, it is recommended to disinfect the wound. If parts of the animal are stuck in the wound, inflammation threatens, which in the worst case can turn into a blood poisoning, which is why in such cases urgently a medical disposal is advised.

Lyme bite after a tick bite
If pathogens were transmitted during the tick bite, this often does not show until a few days to weeks later. Affected persons should therefore carefully observe any health peculiarities after a tick bite and in case of doubt seek medical help immediately. For example, if there is an infection with Borrelia, after some time around the site of the tick bite, a circular reddish rash often appears, which can occur as a so-called murmur at various parts of the body in the absence of treatment. Occasionally, however, the borreliosis runs without the skin symptoms and manifests itself in more unspecific flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pain and chronic fatigue. In case of premature initiated antibiotic therapy, the Lyme disease is in most cases successfully treatable, but the disease is often accompanied by rather unremarkable symptoms already in a chronic stage before even medical help is taken, which makes the treatment much more difficult.

TBE not treatable and with long-term consequences
TBE is transmitted by ticks, especially in southern Germany. Thus, the map of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on the TBE risk areas in Germany shows a high transmission risk in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and southern Thuringia. Also affected are some regions in Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. Like borreliosis, TBE infection initially often manifests itself in rather nonspecific flu-like symptoms, but it may develop into severe meningitis later in life. Those affected are threatened with massive health problems, ranging from respiratory problems to speech and consciousness disorders to paralysis or even death. Unlike Lyme disease, the treatment options of the viral-related disease FSME are extremely limited. An effective cure is not known even if diagnosed early. Only a therapeutic support of the self-healing powers of the organism comes into consideration here. After surviving disease, many sufferers throughout their lives from irreversible neurological deficits. Only positive: who has once experienced the infection is immune throughout his life. There is also the possibility of immunization by TBE vaccination for particularly vulnerable people. (Fp)

Also read:
Healthy nettles are not weeds
Doctors: carefully remove ticks with tweezers
TBE and Lyme disease by tick bites
Health: No vaccination against ticks

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