What to Do After a Tick Bite

Many use being in nature as a way to relax and escape from everyday life. Among the low vegetation, especially in the spring and early summer, we find ticks that are often found on the skin of ourselves or our pets. In our continental part of Croatia, the most widespread tick is the Forest tick, which is responsible for the bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease.

In the Croatian coast, however, the Dog Tick, which causes Mediterranean spotted fever, is somewhat more risky for humans. A tick bite it may or may not bring with it these diseases. Ticks are most often found on the leaves of various shrubs or branches, low forest vegetation. Ticks can become infected while feeding on other animals, later they can transmit the infection to humans.

People who spend recreational or professional time in the woods are most exposed to tick bites. Although a tick bite can be prevented, it is recommended that after a stay in nature for the spring and summer months, you be thoroughly examined, the examination includes worn clothing and an examination of yourself. If you have been in nature with your pet, it is also recommended that you examine it as well.

A tick bite, how to protect yourself

There are certain personal protective measures that can help you protect yourself from tick bites. One should always keep in mind that ticks are small animals that can be dragged anywhere, so it is necessary to shake the clothes well after wearing them and throw them in the wash immediately. How to protect yourself from tick bites? When you go to nature, put on suitable clothes and shoes, cover all exposed places.

Avoid wearing darker colors because they make the tick harder to spot, and materials like wool or flannel that the tick is easy to accept. Walk only on marked trails and avoid crawling through low vegetation, lying on the ground and leaving clothes on a tree or floor. A tick bite it doesn’t necessarily happen in the woods, it can creep into your clothes and bite you when you get dressed.

In summer, when walking in the woods, use various repellents that repel ticks, apply them to skin and clothing. After you get home, change your clothes immediately and throw your clothes to wash. Ask a family member or partner to examine you when taking off, ticks often crawl on inconspicuous parts of the body and walk for a long time until they find a place to bite. Be sure to take a shower after the examination. Tick ​​bites can be prevented by early detection and removal.

A tick bite what to do if you get bitten 

If you have noticed a tick on yourself then it is important to remove it as soon as possible, the risk of infection itself is higher the longer the tick is attached to our skin. Before removing the tick, it is important to wash and disinfect your hands, wipe the tweezers that you will use as a removal tool with antiseptic and place the tweezers as close to the tick’s head as possible, gently pull it out of the skin and tick bite apply an antiseptic.

Never coat the tick with anything, light it with a lighter, pull it abruptly, squeeze it or squeeze it, as all of the above causes the tick to convulse and release a larger amount of secretion, which can cause these diseases if it is infected. It is necessary to contact a doctor if a rash appears at the site of the bite within 7 days, more precisely redness of the ring-shaped skin that fades in the middle, or if you feel a fever or chills.

Evidence of the presence of a bacterial infection that has been successfully treated with antibiotics is provided. It is important not to ignore these symptoms in order to avoid unwanted complications and the development of the disease. A tick bite is more often more dangerous for our pets, so it is recommended that you protect your pet with various collars against pests while staying in the forest.