Tick ​​bite

People who enjoy being outdoors or have a pet who walks around a lot can get one Tick ​​bite to get. Tick ​​bites are painful and can lead to serious health problems and long-lasting symptoms.

What is a tick bite?

A Tick ​​bite is carried out by ticks, which are also known colloquially as wood ticks. With the appropriate biting tools, which are extremely hard and resistant, the ticks can penetrate the soft skin and place a bite in the affected regions. Through this bite, the ticks get to small, blood-carrying vessels, from which they suck the blood through a special proboscis.

Ticks are insects and are mainly at home in the forest and on the meadow. They resemble spiders and are known as ectoparasites. Not only the blood of people, but also of roaming animals, the ticks can suck in blood through the tick bite and thus feed themselves for a longer period of time.

In particular, tiny ticks that are no larger than the head of a pin set the tick bite. Large and swollen ticks are already soaked with blood and fall off on their own. Since the ticks are very difficult to see and are inconspicuous, the tick bites on some rather insensitive, extremely warm parts of the body are initially not noticed.

causes

The causes for one Tick ​​bite are quite different. However, the tick bite itself is a causal trigger for many diseases. In addition to Lyme disease and the so-called tick bite fever, allergic reactions and painful inflammations of the skin are the result of the tick bite.

The causative agent of tick bite fever is a bacterium known as Rickettsia rickettsii. In contrast, the invading Borrelliosis bacteria, which belong to the class of spirochaetes, cause the typical symptoms. The name spirochete is chosen because the bacteria have a helical appearance. These microorganisms, in turn, use the tick as a host and enter the human body through their saliva.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

A tick bite can always be clearly identified when the animal is still sitting on the skin. If this is not the case, a diagnosis can only be made through the symptoms that arise. Symptoms can be divided into three stages. Not every tick bite leads to disease. In investigations, infected people remained symptom-free.

The first four puffs after a tick bite are characterized by local infection and flu. There is permanent reddening around the puncture. This expands its radius and increasingly fades in the center. In addition, those affected develop a fever after a few days. Fatigue, joint pain and even bowel problems are also possible. In this context, doctors speak of Lyme disease flu. However, it does not include a cold or a cough.

After the first four weeks, the pathogen spreads further and further in the body. It can attack the nervous system, heart and skin. Influenza symptoms like fever and headache come back. Sudden and uncontrollable sweats characterize everyday life.

A good 16 weeks after infection, the disease becomes chronic. That means: The symptoms mentioned above keep recurring. Symptoms-free periods alternate with periods of flu and other signs. Paralysis and sensory disturbances, palpitations and high blood pressure as well as skin nodules develop.

Complications

A tick bite does not necessarily lead to serious complaints. Complications can arise if the tick is infected with Lyme disease and transfers the bacteria to humans. Then various complaints can occur, such as headache, muscle and joint pain, fever and conjunctivitis.

If not treated, flu-like symptoms can occur after a few months and the nervous system eventually becomes ill. Such neuroborreliosis is associated with meningeal nerve root inflammation and symptoms such as paralysis and neurological deficits. Furthermore, the heart can be affected and it comes to an inflammation of the heart muscle and pericardium, which is associated with cardiac arrhythmias.

The most serious complications occur with a tick bite in Lyme disease stage III. At this stage, after months or years, chronic joint inflammation, skin changes and permanent nerve damage up to paralysis occur. As a result, Lyme disease is almost always fatal, or at least with severe damage to health that requires lifelong treatment.

Apart from the typical side effects and interactions, the therapy itself does not involve any major risks. However, venous administration of the medication can lead to infections and rarely injuries or the formation of blood clots.

When should you go to the doctor?

In the case of a tick bite, self-help measures are sufficient in many cases. A doctor's visit is therefore not always necessary.The person concerned should inform himself sufficiently about how a tick can be completely removed from the organism. If all requirements are strictly adhered to, a complete freedom from symptoms can be expected after a few days. If the tick is not completely removed for various reasons, the support and help of a doctor should be sought.

It is worrying when the tick's head is still in the wound. In these cases, complete removal of the insect must be initiated by a doctor. If various health irregularities occur after a tick bite, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. If there are irregularities in wound healing, internal weakness, fever or other diffuse health problems, a doctor should be consulted.

If the general well-being deteriorates to a considerable extent within a short period of time, an emergency service must be alerted. Action is required in the event of cardiac rhythm disorders, tiredness or abnormalities in the muscular system. If symptoms of paralysis occur, a doctor must be consulted immediately. Headaches, sensory disturbances or abnormalities in memory should be examined and treated as soon as possible. If neurological failures are noticed, intensive medical care is necessary for the person concerned.

Treatment & Therapy

Several types of treatment are relevant for Lyme disease, which after one Tick ​​bite can occur. In addition to extensive diagnostics, targeted oral treatment with antibiotic drugs is recommended, which can be administered in the early stages and over a longer period of time.

If Lyme disease is only recognized at a late stage, special antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and the substance hydrochloriquin are also available as therapy. Since borreliosis is difficult to treat due to its form, it is doubtful whether the disease that occurs after a tick bite can be treated in the third stage. In addition to anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs, other symptomatic substances are also prescribed.

prevention

One Tick ​​bite can definitely be prevented. In addition to the effective use of sprays and creams against the ticks, clothing that is as bright as possible and closed sleeves and trousers are among the most important protective measures.

It is also advisable to check each other for the presence of ticks after spending time outdoors. A tick bite is to be feared in particular in folds of skin, the hollows of the knees, armpits and other soft skin areas if no protection is provided.

Staying in areas heavily infected by ticks (mainly meadows) can also be avoided during the high season. Strongly scented essential oils such as lavender, rosemary or tea tree oil, as well as closed and sturdy shoes, also help against tick bites.

Aftercare

After spending time in the great outdoors, especially in areas with a large number of ticks, it is advisable to search your body afterwards at home. In the event of a tick bite, the doctor should be consulted if possible. He can professionally remove the insect and thus minimize the risk of disease transmission.

Even if the tick has already fallen off, a doctor can carefully remove the remains of the animal and clean and disinfect the wound. The wound should be covered with a plaster; regular cooling promotes healing. Scratching the wound should be avoided if possible. If unusual redness or excessive itching occurs, it is essential to consult a doctor.

Even if a tick bite usually heals after one to two weeks, the area should still be monitored. Secondary diseases can take months or even years to set in. It is therefore important for those affected to recognize possible signs of an infection with Lyme disease in good time.

Physical complaints such as persistent headaches and body aches should therefore be clarified by a doctor. Even if a single tick bite is usually unproblematic, preventive measures such as sturdy, closed footwear and strongly scented essential oils made from lavender or rosemary can prevent the associated health risk.

You can do that yourself

If a tick bite is noticed, the family doctor should be consulted. The pest must be professionally removed in order to minimize the risk of disease transmission. If the tick has already fallen off, a visit to the doctor is also indicated. Residues of the animal must be removed. The wound needs to be disinfected and cooled.

After a tick bite, it is important to observe the bite site. Redness, itching and other unusual symptoms should be reported to the doctor. It is important to avoid scratching the wound. In addition, the bite site should be masked with a plaster and regularly cooled to promote the healing process. The bite should have completely subsided after one to two weeks at the latest. The affected area must continue to be observed, as secondary diseases can still occur after months or years. In addition to external signs, illnesses such as Lyme disease also make themselves felt through physical complaints such as limb pain or headache.

A single tick bite is usually not a problem. Nevertheless, every bite must be examined by a doctor and the risk of a bite minimized. In the event of a bite, it is important to get medical attention and to check the body for further tick bites. Preventive measures prevent a tick bite and the associated health risk.