With the heat, ticks return to infest parks and gardens: what to do in the event of a tick bite? The doctor answers. Climate change and global warming have caused a considerable increase in these insect pests. In Europe, ticks do not stop increasing, as the European Agency warns.
You have to be careful when walking through green areas and when walking the dog. These parasites can transmit several diseases, we also talk about it in this article about encephalitis, an infection caused by ticks that infests Europe. If you are bitten, you have to act quickly. A doctor explains what to do to prevent and treat a bite.
Prevention is always better than cure, so if you are used to walking in the woods or parks, it is better to wear light-colored clothing and avoid walking in tall grass. Light-colored clothing not only annoys insects, but also makes them easier to recognize in the event of an attack. Also, it is better to wear closed shoes.
What to do in case of a tick bite? First, the insect must be removed from the skin immediately, taking care not to separate the head from the body. When removing the animal, use gloves and tweezers, and be sure to remove not only the head and body, but also any inner legs or remains.
Then, without a doubt, the hole and the entire affected area must be disinfected. If a bruise, reddish halo or swelling appears in the affected area, it is best to contact your doctor. The situation of the wound must be controlled for a few days. If it becomes infected or shows particular symptoms, it is not a good sign.
A tick bite is terrible; in most cases it does not have serious consequences, but there is always a small percentage of risk. We must also be careful with our four-legged friends, dogs and rabbits. Diseases transmitted by parasites, doctors warn, can be Lyme borreliosis, rickettsial fever, tularemiala, Q fever or ehrlichiosis.