health
Ticks are active again: Here's how to protect yourself before going into nature
With warmer days, we spend more time in nature, but spring also brings increased activity of ticks, parasites that can transmit serious diseases like Lyme disease. That's why it's important to know how to protect yourself, recognize the risk, and react properly if you come into contact with a tick.
TL;DR
- Use tick repellent and wear light-colored, long clothing (long sleeves, pants, socks over pants) to minimize skin exposure and easily spot ticks.
- Avoid tall grass and bushes; stick to paths and open areas where ticks are less concentrated.
- Shower and thoroughly check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activities, paying special attention to areas like armpits, groin, stomach, and behind the ears. Check children's scalps and hairlines too.
- Recognize Lyme disease symptoms, including a spreading red rash (erythema migrans) resembling a target, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and fever.
- Remove ticks promptly and properly using sterile fine-tipped tweezers, pulling straight upward without twisting or jerking. Do not use folk remedies like oil or nail polish.
- Clean the bite area with soap and water, disinfect it, and wash your hands thoroughly after removal.
- If a part of the tick remains in the skin, attempt to remove it carefully with sterile tweezers; consult a doctor if you cannot remove it or are unsure.