Tick bites on the rise: How to prevent and treat them?

"There have been a lot of cases of tick bites in recent days, which is related to the climate. When it gets warmer and wetter the ticks become more active," Prof. Dr. Iva Hristova, Director of the National Centre for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, told BNT breakfast programme "The Day Begins" on May 29.

According to her, public lawns are sprayed, but the rain washes it away.

"Even with spraying, no one is able to completely remove ticks. Spraying is aimed at keeping the tick population to certain minimum levels," Prof Dr Iva Hristova added.

She commented that not only children but also elderly people were bitten.

"This year the tick season is late, usually the activity is in early May. If the tick is very recent, from an hour, you can also take it off yourselves with tweezers, grasping it as close to the skin’s surface as possible, there is no need to twist the tick much. When more hours have passed, over 3-4 hours, the tick has already secreted cementing substances, and then if we try to remove it ourselves, it may cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, it continues to transmit the infection, you should seek medical help," added Prof. Dr. Iva Hristova.

According to her, there is no need to put oil on the tick when trying to remove it at home.

"If the removed thick is examined, it can be seen if it is of the species that can transmit Lyme disease, it is only type of tick that spreads it, the other infections are rare for our country. It is important in the following week - 10 days to monitor the bite site for any expanding red rash, with a size of more than 5 cm, it can reach 30-40 cm, it does not itch and does not hurt, if it begins to expand rapidly, this will be a symptom of Lyme disease. Usually there are no other symptoms, for example fever. The patient can be examined after at least 3 weeks as this is the incubation period. Not every infected tick transmits the infection, it must be attached in the skin for a long time before Lyme diseases is transmitted," said Prof. Dr. Iva Hristova.

She pointed out that the symptoms of Mediterranean spotted fever, which is a tick-borne disease, are presented with high fever, as well as a black small spot at the site of the bite.

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