Ticks are carriers of numerous diseases, the most common of which is Lyme disease. Although the pathogen, Borrelia burgdorferi, can also be found in many other large mammals, insects and rodents, it is primarily the common tick (Ixodes ricinus) that spreads it to humans in Europe.
Ticks can take 3 to 6 years to develop, during which time they grow larger and typically attach themselves to larger animals and eventually humans. However, it is most dangerous when a smaller, early-stage tick bites a human, as smaller ticks are almost imperceptible.
Ticks typically live in cool, damp, humid areas rich in undergrowth, frequented by animals, and covered with bushes and trees, but they are found in almost all parts of Europe, including drier climates and cities.
Ticks suck up the blood of infected animals and pass on Lyme disease and other diseases. They wait for their next “victim” in the undergrowth or in rodent burrows, but they have also been observed “flying” through the air. However, there is no need to be afraid of the danger lurking in the sky, as the most common bite sites are on body parts closer to the ground. Therefore, knowing their feeding habits, closed lower body clothing is the most important, and various tick repellents and chemicals are also most effective here.
There are many legends about how long it takes for a tick to become infectious after biting. It has been proven that within a few hours of the bite, the tick comes into direct contact with the bloodstream and the pathogens can begin to multiply. It is also a fact that after 24 hours, a significant amount of pathogens can be transferred from the tick’s body to the human.
It is therefore advisable to check your clothing several times during a hike – light colours are practical – and, after returning home, to inspect your clothes and place them in a closed space until they are washed. At the end of the hike, you should examine your body folds and skin surface to remove any ticks that are about to bite or have already started to bite.
Ticks should be removed with tweezers or a special tool. Under no circumstances should they be smeared, burned or killed, as this will inject infected blood and body fluids into the wound. When removing the tick, grasp only the part closest to the skin (head) and remove it with a firm motion, taking care not to touch the abdomen. The bite site can be disinfected, but this does not protect against the spread of disease. If parts of the tick (e.g. mouthparts) remain in the wound, this is not a problem, as they will be expelled naturally.
Tick bites are not felt because they bite with anaesthetic. They use substances that dissolve the skin, prevent blood clotting and spasm, and a “cement” suitable for fixation to ensure unnoticed, secure and long-lasting blood sucking.
Ticks can appear at any time when the average daily temperature rises above 7°C, so they are more common in our country from March to October.