Tick ​​bites can be dangerous to protect yourself effectively

Expert tips: Protection against ticks on green areas and in the garden

Ticks can transmit dangerous infectious diseases such as Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Therefore, it is always pointed out how important it is to protect yourself from ticks. Experts have some good tips.

Carriers of dangerous diseases

Ticks can carry a lot more pathogens, but in Germany almost exclusively TBE viruses and Borrelia play a role. While the latter are widespread nationwide, the former were limited to the south of Germany until recently. But according to experts, the TBE risk areas in Germany are increasing rapidly. The disease is now also a growing danger in northern Germany. The Hessian areas of the south of the Main areas have been part of the TBE risk areas for quite some time now. The city health office Offenbach informs therefore in a message about ticks and the illnesses, which can transfer these, and gives tips on how one can protect oneself.

Ticks can transmit dangerous diseases like Lyme disease or TBE. Experts explain what you should know about the little bloodsuckers and how to protect yourself from them. (Image: emer / fotolia.com)

From an outside temperature of about eight degrees Celsius active

As the experts explain, ticks are among the arachnids and are blood-sucking parasites. In this country live different kinds. The most common tick in Germany is the wood buck (Ixodes ricinus).

The creepy-crawlies occur in the Federal Republic in all areas up to an altitude of about 2,000 meters in the wild (forest, bushes, meadows), but also in inner-city parks and gardens.

They become active from an outside temperature of about eight degrees Celsius and sting especially in the morning and in the early evening. The actual "tick season" is in the months of March to October.

Cheap sting points for bloodsucking

The ticks sitting in the grass and on leaves recognize possible victims of shocks, body heat and fragrances.

Passing people and animals strip off the animals. So they do not fall off the trees, as is often assumed.

The parasites choose a favorable sting site for the bloodsucking. These are primarily body regions such as the popliteal fossa, groin flexion, armpit or hairline, ie moist and warm areas.

Lyme disease and TBE

The ticks that occur in Germany can predominantly transmit two diseases:

Firstly, Lyme disease, a bacterial disease that can be treated with appropriate antibiotics.

However, if the disease remains unrecognized and untreated, it can lead to chronic damage to, among other things, the heart, nerves and joints, and in the worst case to death.

There is no vaccine against the disease.

And secondly, the bloodsuckers FSME, (short for early-summer meningo-encephalitis) can transmit a meningitis-brain inflammation and viral disease.

According to health experts, the disease can be particularly severe in older people and end in extreme cases deadly.

There are no drugs available against TBE itself, only the symptoms can be treated. There is also a preventive vaccine.

What to do with a tick bite?

As the City Health Office Offenbach explains, a still migrating tick can be easily removed by hand. The animal, on the other hand, can not resist biting, as it takes time to cut through the skin.

A tucked-in tick should always be removed with a pair of tweezers or a tick card or tweezer as soon as possible, or if none of these aids are present, with the fingertips.

This is done by grasping the tick body as close to the skin as possible, gently loosening it, and pulling it slowly away from the puncture site.

The tick must not be squeezed, otherwise its infectious secretions can enter the human body.

According to the experts, the use of "home remedies" such as oil, nail varnish or glue must be avoided. If possible, then disinfect the stitching point, for example, with high-percentage alcohol.

Protect against ticks

The best protection against FSME is the preventative vaccination. The City Health Office Offenbach has even more tips on how to protect yourself from ticks and the diseases transmitted by the animals:

So when you are out in the open, especially when you are brushing through the undergrowth or meadow area, you should wear bright clothing (ticks that sit on the clothing can be better seen) that covers the body completely - as well as sturdy shoes.

In addition, tick-repellent skin protection products, which, however, have only limited effectiveness, can be used.

Nevertheless, even with long clothes the most important measure must not be forgotten: After an outdoor stay, the whole body and the clothes should be thoroughly searched for ticks.

Important to know: The animals can, for example, on the way home on the clothes walk along to find a free skin spot.

Tick ​​bite is not perceived by humans

Direct sunlight does not like ticks. If you prefer to walk barefoot and / or with short skirts or trousers through the meadows, you should know that the ticks are usually looking for a suitable spot for a while.

As long as they still walk on the skin, they can be easily removed. However, the crabs prefer places like the popliteal fossa, which can only be seen with a helper or in the mirror, or the groin area, where they hide under the garments.

The sting of the tick is not perceived by humans because the animal has an anesthetic.

Ticks can also occur in their own garden, as there live animals such as mice, hedgehogs, dogs or cats are attacked by ticks and a sucked in the garden falling tick can release many offspring.

Therefore pets should be inspected for ticks after appropriate stay and the ticks should be removed.

In addition, one should always keep the removed bloodsucker, because if the animal after the bite disease symptoms, for example, refer to a borreliosis shows, an examination of the tick on corresponding pathogens can provide important clues.

Since ticks like to be wet and shady, it is helpful to keep the lawn in the garden short. (Ad)