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 two 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 that live wherever there is vegetation and hosts. They are found in foliage, tall grass, undergrowth, shrubs, and rural paths along forest edges. During their life cycle, they go through several stages and feed on different hosts, such as small rodents and larger mammals like deer or humans.

Their bites are painless because their saliva contains an anesthetic substance. There are many species of ticks. Depending on the species, they do not bite the same hosts and do not transmit the same diseases.

The proportion of infected ticks varies depending on the season and region, generally ranging from 0 to 30%. Ticks feed on blood for several hours to several days. The risk of transmitting infectious agents increases with the duration of attachment. In fact, some bacteria, such as those responsible for Lyme disease, are usually transmitted only after 24 to 48 hours. Transmission mainly occurs during feeding, although contact with tick feces can also contribute. Thus, the longer a tick remains attached, the greater the risk of infection.

Ticks are active from February to November. They are more numerous when winters are mild and springs are humid. More cases of tick-borne diseases are observed in early summer and in autumn.

Simple measures to protect yourself

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

• Wear enclosed footwear.
• Wear long, covering, light-colored clothing.
• 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).

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.

Do not forget:

• your armpits,
• your navel,
• the groin folds,
• and the genital area.

Removing a tick

1. Remove the tick as soon as possible using a pair of tick tweezers.
2. To avoid crushing the tick, slide the tweezers under the tick and gently twist until the tick is free.
3. Disinfect the bite wound.
4. Other products are ineffective.

In most cases, a tick can be safely removed by yourself or from your child. If in doubt, a general practitioner or a medical clinic can be consulted.