The rise in temperatures reactivates the metabolism of ticks and enhances their settlement, reproduction and action on people and animalss. Climate changes, unprotected exposure in agricultural and livestock activities, and the presence of a wide range of reservoirs are other factors that contribute to its development.
The epidemiological bulletin prepared by the National Epidemiology Center of the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) includes an increase in hospitalizations of 191.80% between 2005 and 2019 in our country. The greatest increase has occurred in Navarra (363%), followed by Catalonia (268%) and the Basque Country (232%).
However, considering the number of hospitalized, the Autonomous Community with the highest number is Asturias, which has 319. 16.8% of the state total.
Ticks are transmitters of Lyme disease.. A zoonosis, an infectious disease transmitted between animals and humans, caused by the bacterium “Borrellia burdogferi”.
It is important to know how it manifests itself in order to control it and reduce the number of affected patients. According to Lucía Lara, doctor at the Puerta del Hierro Hospitalcan manifest itself in different ways: “The ‘erythema migrans’ is characteristic, which is a target skin lesion at the site of the bite.” Fever, headache, and muscle pain are other very common symptoms.
Lyme disease has hardly any mortality, but if it does not receive the appropriate treatment it becomes chronic and can become disabling. May cause permanent damage to joints or the nervous system. Therefore, early detection and appropriate treatment is important.
How to avoid tick bite
Ticks are normally found in the field, but the increase in temperatures means that we can find them on beaches, swimming pools or gardens.
If we walk through places with abundant vegetation and the presence of animals, we must take Appropriate clothing that covers most of the body and go along the paths enabledstaying in the center to avoid coming into contact with the flora.
Besides, keeping the grass mowed and creating barriers between the woods and the yard are other methods of creating tick-free zones. It is important to frequently check ourselves and our pets to see if there are any parasites attached to our bodies.
What to do if a tick bites me
In the case of finding a bite, the doctor Lucia Lara recommends the following tips:
First of all, we must try to extract the tick ourselves. In most cases, the bite is not very deep, so the parasite can be removed from the skin by pulling it. Although it is always advisable to see a health professional.
The best thing to do when removing it is put alcohol on the bite and after a few minutes, proceed to extract the animal using tweezers. Then, we will clean the affected area with soap and water. It is important to make sure that the head and feet are not stuck in the skin.
If inflammation occurs in the affected area, It is recommended to apply cold and use some common anti-inflammatory.
Some home methods like Using Vaseline or a lit match is counterproductive and may cause the tick to burrow deeper into the skin.
Call your doctor if you develop a red, ring-shaped rash within a few days, your skin is red and irritated, you have flu-like symptoms, joint pain, or facial paralysis as this could lead to Lyme disease.
In Asturias, 18% of ticks carry pathogens
Ticks can live anywhere, but areas of forest and dense vegetation in humid and temperate regions such as Asturias present the ideal conditions.
A team made up of researchers from the departments of Animal Health of the Regional Agrifood Research and Development Service of Asturias (Serida), the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (Neiker), the Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA) and the Services Society of the Principality of Asturias (Serpa) publishes in a study carried out to identify the pathogens transmitted by ticks in the Principality of Asturias that 18% of these parasites cause a disease.
The results obtained conclude that we are dealing with a large relevant number from the point of view of human and animal health.