Children and anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors, regularly in gardens and parks or away from hiking trails, are particularly at risk. The Ixodes ticks, which are common in Germany, are found on plants, grasses, dead wood and in bushes at a height of less than one meter, often only between ten and 50 centimeters above the ground, and are stripped off on contact with animals or humans - contrary to perception, they do not fall from trees or jump.
Protective measures when outdoors
Closed clothing with sturdy shoes, long pants and long sleeves, preferably with the trousers tucked into the socks, offer the most effective protection against ticks. Insect repellents (products with the active ingredient Icaridin) are also effective against ticks, but it is important to refresh them regularly. After spending time in the forest or garden, you should check yourself and children in particular as soon as possible so that ticks can be found early, ideally before they bite. Preferred bite sites are the hairline, ears, neck, armpits, elbows, belly button, genital area or back of the knees.
Remove ticks correctly and keep an eye on symptoms
To minimize the risk of infection, the tick should be pulled out as soon as possible. If possible, all parts of the tick should be removed to avoid inflammation. To do this, grasp the tick with tweezers or a special tick removal instrument close to the surface of the skin, i.e. by its mouthparts (not by its fully engorged body) and slowly pull it out of the skin. After removing the tick, careful disinfection of the wound is recommended. The puncture site should be observed over the next few days and weeks to rule out an infection. Lyme disease is manifested by the typical red "infection ring" at the bite site, while TBE is characterized by flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, malaise, headaches or aching limbs.
Vaccination protects against TBE
There is an effective vaccination against the viral disease TBE, which is recommended by the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) for all people (children aged 1 year and over and adults) who live in a TBE risk area and are exposed to ticks. The recommendation therefore also applies in late summer: Check vaccination protection and refresh if necessary - the tick season continues well into the fall.
