We are searching data for your request:
Upon completion, a link will appear to access the found materials.
Ticks: How to protect yourself against Lyme disease
Ticks are not only annoying bloodsuckers, but can also transmit pathogens to humans. They are active from a temperature of around seven degrees Celsius. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Europe. Experts explain how to protect yourself.
Ticks can transmit dangerous infectious diseases such as Lyme disease. Not every tick bite causes Lyme disease, but if you notice a blush on your skin after a stay in the countryside, you should definitely see a doctor - even if you haven't noticed any of the crawling animals. It is also advisable to protect yourself as possible from the little animals.
Protect with proper clothing
According to a current message from the Barmer health insurance company, around 100,000 people in Germany suffer from Lyme disease every year. So far, there is no vaccine against this disease.
As the arachnids awaken from the rigidity of winter at seven degrees, you should protect yourself from them now.
“If you use the spring days for gardening or walks in the forest, you should wear long clothes, socks and closed shoes that close the cuffs. This is the most effective protection against ticks, ”says Dr. Ursula Marschall, chief medical officer at Barmer.
According to experts, ticks no longer only occur in forests and tall grass, but also in allotments and parks.
Not every tick has borrelia in it
According to the health insurance company, one should search the body after a day outdoors, especially on armpits, elbow and groin bends and on the neck. Parents should also do this to their children. If a tick stung, there was no need to panic.
“On the one hand, not every tick has Borrelia in it. On the other hand, the tick has to suck for a while before the pathogen is transmitted. The risk of this increases after twelve hours, ”explains Marschall.
Nevertheless, the animals should be pulled out as soon as possible with a suitable aid, which is placed close to the skin, without any rotation. Depending on their size, splinter tweezers, tick cards or a tick loop are suitable.
"While the tick is being removed, you should not squeeze the body, otherwise pathogens can be pressed into the wound," explains Marschall.
In addition, the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES) advises not to suck the tick with oil, alcohol, glue or similar. to drizzle, since in this case the vomit-containing saliva virtually vomits into the sting channel and a large amount of the pathogen can be transmitted. It is best to disinfect the hands and bite site.
In case of reddening or later flu symptoms, see a doctor
In the first time after a tick bite, one should watch the entry point closely. Often there is a growing reddening of the skin without symptoms after two weeks. This blush often disappears on its own, but the borreliosis remains.
Noticeable symptoms sometimes only appeared after months and resembled those of a flu
"If the blush develops after a tick bite or if flu symptoms appear later, you should urgently go to the doctor and inform him about the tick bite. If borreliosis is left untreated, chronic inflammation of the joints, spinal cord and brain threatens, ”says Marschall.
Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), patients who are treated in the early stages of the disease generally recover quickly and completely. In this way, serious illnesses and late manifestations can be prevented. (ad)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the requirements of the medical literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical doctors.
