How to prevent a Tick bite and so Lyme disease?

In the week of March 31st, it is the Tick ​​WeekThis week, extra attention is being paid to this small arachnid creature. Why? Ticks can transmit diseases, including Lyme disease. Approximately 27,000 (1) people suffer from this, which can hinder a healthy and vital life. That is why it is important to know how to Tick bite can prevent.

What is a tick?

A tick is a small, parasitic, arachnid-like creature. Approximately 15 species occur in the Netherlands. A tick likes to attach itself to a human or animal to feed on blood. They typically wait patiently in tall, shady grass and dead leaves near trees and shrubs until a potential host passes by. Most tick bites occur in forests. But you can also find ticks in gardens, parks, dunes, green spaces, and nature reserves.

The risk of a Tick bite

In the Netherlands, there are approximately 1.5 million tick bites every year. On average, about 2 to 3 out of every 100 people develop Lyme disease after a tick bite. Tick bite, which affects about 27,000 people per year(2). This means that not everyone bitten by a tick will get sick. Caution is still advised, however. A disease like Lyme is anything but pleasant.

Lyme disease

Lyme disease can manifest itself in countless ways. Severe fatigue, joint pain, tingling, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and palpitations are just a few examples. This makes Lyme disease difficult to diagnose, partly because the Borrelia spirochete is so adept at hiding and disguising itself. As a result, people often spend a long time searching and feel (inexplicably) less vital during this time.

Tick bite prevention: step-by-step plan

Curing a disease like Lyme can be a major challenge, so the focus should be on preventing it. Tick biteAre you going into the woods, the garden or another nature reserve? Then above all, enjoy yourself, but do so with the necessary attention to the steps below and avoid a Tick bite.

• Wear close-fitting clothing
  The chance of a Tick bite It shrinks when you wear close-fitting clothing. Think closed-toe shoes, long sleeves, long pants, and tuck your pants into your socks.
• Wear light-colored clothing
  A tick's color contrasts better with light colors. Wearing light-colored clothing will help you spot the tick more quickly.
• Use a tick repellent
  Especially in high-risk areas, it's wise to apply tick repellent. You probably immediately think of DEET. This is an effective tick repellent, but it's certainly not toxic-free. A safe alternative for humans and the environment is our natural, herbal alternative. Teekaway based on essential oils.
  
• Stay on the paths as much as possible
  By staying on the paths you avoid dense vegetation, tall grass and shrubs, places where ticks like to hide.
• Check after outdoor activities
  Check yourself, family members, and pets thoroughly for ticks after outdoor activities, especially in areas with lots of grass, shrubs, or woods.

Why is a Tick bite often not noticed or noticed late?

This last tip is especially important. A tick can attach itself, or rather, sting, anywhere on the body. The groin, backs of the knees, armpits, the cleft of the buttocks, the edges of underwear, behind the ears, and around the hairline of the neck are the preferred areas. You usually feel little of the sting or sucking. Therefore, it's common for a tick to go unnoticed (in time), especially because it's so small.The sheep tick, for example, is only 0.5 to 3 mm long. Its size increases when the tick engorges itself with blood. It then swells into a gray or brown ball. A sheep tick can even grow up to 11 mm in this case.

Still a Tick biteThen read our blog: Help, I have a Tick bite! All supplies needed for removing and treating a Tick bite you will find in our First Aid Prevention Kit.

**Health claims pending European approval

Sources
(1) https://www.rivm.nl/ziekte-van-lyme
(2) https://www.expertisecentrumlyme.nl/ziekte-van-lyme