It happens again and again that people are bitten by ticks. However, few of them know exactly what to do. This article is intended to explain how to avoid tick bites and what you can do if you have been bitten by a tick anyway.

What are ticks, and why is a tick bite potentially so dangerous?

Ticks belong to the mites. They are blood-sucking ectoparasites on vertebrates, and many species are considered to be important disease carriers. Among the best known and most dangerous tick-borne diseases are Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that affects various organs in different stages and forms and can lead to chronic diseases of the sensory organs, joints and muscles if left untreated. TBE is a disease caused by the TBE virus, which can cause flu-like symptoms and inflammation of the brain and meninges.
How can you avoid being bitten by a tick? In order to avoid being bitten by a tick, you should know where ticks usually live. Ticks usually do not fall from trees onto their victims. Ticks are usually found in tall grasses and bushes near the ground and attack their victims from there. The best way to prevent ticks is to wear long clothing. The less “attack surface” you offer the ticks, the better. If you know that you are going to be in areas with a higher incidence of ticks, you can spray yourself with an anti-tick spray. This will literally keep the ticks away from you. A pleasant side effect is that it can also keep mosquitoes away. In the evening at the latest, even if you have worn long clothes and applied an anti-tick spray, it is advisable to check your body for potential tick bites by checking your eyes. All parts of the body should be considered. Ticks like to hide in warm places.

What can you do when you’ve been bitten?The first thing to do is not to panic. As long as the tick is in the skin, avoid spraying any things on it that could poison the tick. This could cause the tick to empty its stomach or intestinal contents into your bloodstream, which could eventually lead to infection. To remove a tick, there are special tick forceps or tick cards that can be used to remove the tick easily. If you do not have tick tweezers or tick cards available, you can also simply use tweezers. It is important to place the tweezers very close to the skin and then simply pull the tick out. The body of the tick must not be crushed under any circumstances, because the bacteria or viruses of the tick can get into the bloodstream. When you have pulled the tick out, check whether the tick has really been completely removed. If this is the case, you can disinfect the area with hydrogen peroxide, for example, and apply an antipruritic agent. In the weeks following the bite, you should then look out for flu-like symptoms.

What do you do if there’s been an infection? SteIf you notice flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, weakness, paralysis or flushing, it is high time to consult a doctor to exclude or treat possible Lyme disease or TBE. In the case of Lyme disease, the doctor will then prescribe antibiotics, and in the case of TBE only the symptoms will be treated, as there is no causal therapy.

For more tips and recommendations on preparations for the treatment of tick bites, you should definitely watch the attached YouTube video.

Medical disclaimer:
The contents offered here are intended exclusively for neutral information and general further training. They do not constitute a recommendation or advertisement of the diagnostic methods, treatments or drugs described or mentioned. The text makes no claim to completeness, nor can the topicality, accuracy and balance of the information provided be guaranteed. Under no circumstances does the text replace the professional advice of a doctor or pharmacist and it may not be used as a basis for independent diagnosis and the beginning, modification or termination of a treatment of diseases. Always consult a doctor of your choice in case of health questions or complaints! ThePraxisFamily Lld. and the authors assume no liability for inconvenience or damage resulting from the use of the information presented here.

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