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Prevention Do not panic with ticks

Prevention: Do not panic with the ticks. How can you protect yourself?

Every year in the spring epidemic-like horror reports appear in the media about the spread of the tick, especially the woodblock (Ixodes ricinus) and the diseases it causes. Once again this year (according to the latest data published by the Robert Koch Institute), the reported cases of TBE and borreliosis in various regions of Germany are reported in good time. While borreliosis can be stopped with early antibiotic treatment, there is no special therapy for early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE). For some years, a vaccine is available to prevent the outbreak of the viral disease. But even simple preventative measures can effectively reduce the risk of infection:

Do not panic despite the media tick-terror: If the tick as a bloodsucker does not enjoy a good reputation anyway, her reputation also suffers greatly from the fact that can be transmitted by her bite pathogens. And so she is portrayed in word and image as a starving vampire, in trees and bushes upon us „lurks“, to attack at the right moment. In fact, the woodbuck sits on a blade of grass close to the ground, from which we strip it in passing. The right clothing prevents tick contact: To the tick little „skin contact“ outdoor long sleeves and legs with closed cuffs and sturdy, closed footwear should be worn outdoors.

What ticks do not like to smell: sprays or lotions that contain essential oils of anise, lavender, rosemary, tea tree, citronella or patchouli, irritate and displace the insects, but must be applied hourly to fully develop their effect. Alternatively, the consumption of a clove of garlic keeps the ticks away from the forest walk.

Evening tick search: Every day after outdoor stays, the entire body should be thoroughly searched for ticks. Particularly popular sites are e.g. Popliteal, groin and armpits. The risk of Borrelioseinfektion reduced so massive, since the pathogens are transmitted at the earliest after 24 hours.

The correct removal of the tick is crucial: If a tick is found, it is important to remove it with a suitable tool (tick tweezers) calmly and without the addition of oils or other substances. Squeezing and squeezing the carcass should be avoided at all costs because it will result in the elimination of metabolic wastes and pathogens. If in doubt, non-medical practitioner or doctor should be consulted for removal and wound care.

By the way: According to parasitological standards, the tick stands out, similar to how a brake does. Nevertheless, the term is found „tick bite“ far more common in everyday language or reports of the insect. The reason is probably in the duration of the sting, the more likely to one „biting hard“ makes you think, which in turn suggests wantonness and malice. In connection with the presentation of ticks in the media, the physician compared Dr. C. Löser from the Department of Dermatology of the Justus Liebig University Giessen in a commentary of the journal „Dermatologists“ the fear of the insects years ago with a „environmental medical phobia“. (Dipl.Päd. J.Viñals Stein, non-medical practitioner, 15.04.2010)