Ticks: how can you protect yourself?

Whenever we walk in long grass or through bushes or forests, there is a danger we could be bitten by a tick.

When they bite us, they can transmit any bacteria or viruses they may be carrying. The 2 infections encountered in Europe are Lyme disease (borreliosis) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), which is only found in Eastern and Central Europe. Several hundred cases of TBE are reported, mainly in the Czech Republic and Germany, but also in Austria. This disease is still much less common than Lyme disease, but a vaccine offers protection against it. There are also a few simple steps that we can take to protect ourselves against diseases transmitted by ticks.

Ticks

  • Ticks are parasites related to spiders and mites. They feed exclusively on the blood of animals or humans.
  • There are many different species of ticks that favour a specific host species and are able to transmit certain infectious agents.
  • In the Luxembourg region, pets that have been bitten by ticks cannot transmit the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease.
  • Ticks live wherever there is vegetation and they can find hosts. They can be found in foliage, long grass, undergrowth, bushes and in country lanes on the edge of woods. For their reproductive cycles, they need small rodents and larger mammals, such as deer or humans.
  • Tick bites are painless, as their saliva contains an anaesthetising substance.
  • Ticks can feed for 24 to 48 hours, after which they excrete droppings, which can contain microbes that contaminate the host.
  • The proportion of infected ticks varies depending on the season and region, but generally ranges from 0-30 %.
  • Ticks are active between February and November. They are found in greater numbers after mild winters and wet springs. More diseases are transmitted by ticks in early summer and autumn.

Simple measures to protect yourself

BEFORE carrying out any activities in forests, grasslands or green spaces

  • Wear enclosed footwear.
  • Wear long clothing that covers your body.
  • If you are going to be staying in a region where there is a high risk of tick-borne encephalitis, you can get vaccinated (2 doses at least 14 days apart, starting at least 3 weeks before travel, with a booster a few months later).
  • You can also apply repellents to your skin and clothes. However, these are not recommended for children. Like all insecticides, they are relatively toxic.

WHILE carrying out your activities

  • Avoid long grass.
  • Walk along paths.

AFTER you have carried out your activities

  • Thoroughly check your body and your children's:
    • the crook of your arms and behind your knees;
    • the back of your neck;
    • your back;
    • your scalp;
    • behind your ears;
    • your armpits;
    • the folds of your groin.

Removing a tick

  1. Remove the tick as soon as possible using a pair of tick tweezers.
  2. Slide the tweezers under the tick and gently twist until the tick is free.
  3. Disinfect the bite wound.
  4. To prevent Lyme disease, keep an eye on the area of the bite. If the skin around the bite turns red at least one week later, contact your doctor.

To minimise the risk of spreading infections

  • Remove the tick as soon as possible.
  • Avoid damaging the tick by cutting it or snapping it off.

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