How to get rid of a tick?

When they are hungry, ticks do not distinguish between humans and animals. Then it is not uncommon to find his legs after returning from a walk in the woods or mountains.Because they can transmit dangerous diseases, get rid of it quickly.

Recognize a tick

Ticks are mites that resemble a watermelon seed and live in the woods or meadows. After being attached to their host, they pierce the skin with their mouthparts (head) and suck her blood until triple in volume. After 3 to 10 days, they hang down in the environment to continue their cycle.

Their bite is painless and they do not cause itching . In recent years their number has considerably increased and they attack more humans. A further consequence of global warming if we are to believe the scientists.

Act quickly against ticks

It is essential to kill ticks within 24 to 48 hours after their attachment to prevent the transmission of diseases caused by germs inoculated during the bite. Each year in France, there are just over 5000 cases of Lyme disease. This is a bacterial infection that can cause rashes, sore muscles, but joint or neurological sequelae.

Worse yet, there are each year between 5 and 10 cases of tick-borne meningoencephalitis. This virus affects the nervous system, sometimes to death. If no specific treatment can effectively address today, there is however a vaccine.

Also check out our page dedicated to applying first aid following an insect bite.

Remove any tick

You have found a parasite? Using a disinfected tweezers, grasp it closer to the skin and pull it very gently. Better yet, use a "Tire-Tic" . This plastic device is the basis for animals but it gives very good results.

Sold in pharmacies, it can tick off in full and without pain. Avoid using alcohol, ether or other liquid on the tick to sleep, then she secretes more saliva, carrier of germs. After being removed, check with a magnifying glass that the rostrum is pulled out and disinfect thoroughly.

When to consult?

The tick is red, swollen with blood, the bite was more than 72 hours or you do not know the date? There is a risk of disease transmission. After extracting the parasite and disinfect the wound immediately consult a doctor who will prescribe antibiotics as a precaution.

To avoid ticks

Limit the walks in wooded areas and wetlands between May and October are periods conducive to the proliferation of ticks. 

When you walk in the woods, wear a hat and protective clothes , tight at the wrists and ankles and apply a repellent on areas of the body that remain exposed.

If you go hiking in an area at risk (country of eastern Europe, Alsace, Lorraine, Vosges), there is a vaccine against tick-borne meningoencephalitis.

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