How do you prevent a Tick bite And so, Lyme disease?

In the week of March 31, it is the Tick ​​Awareness Week. This week, extra attention is being paid to this small spider-like creature. Why? Ticks can transmit diseases, including Lyme disease. About 27,000(1) people suffer from this, which can interfere with 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. Approximately 15 species occur in the Netherlands. A tick wants to attach itself to a human or animal to feed on blood. They wait patiently, particularly in tall, shady grass and dead leaves near trees and shrubs, until a potential host passes by. Consequently, most tick bites occur in the forest. However, you can also find ticks in gardens, parks, dunes, green areas, and nature reserves.

The risk of a Tick bite

In the Netherlands, there are approximately 1.5 million tick bites annually. On average, about 2 to 3 out of 100 people contract Lyme disease after a Tick bite, which affects about 27,000 people per year(2). This means that not everyone who is bitten by a tick gets sick. However, caution is advised. After all, a disease like Lyme is anything but pleasant.

Lyme disease

Lyme disease can manifest in countless ways. Severe fatigue, joint pain, tingling, dizziness, concentration problems, and heart palpitations are just a few examples. As a result, Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose. This is also because the Borrelia spirochete can hide and disguise itself well. The consequence of this is that people are often searching for a long time 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. Therefore, the emphasis must be on preventing it. Tick biteAre you heading into the woods, the garden, or another nature area? Then enjoy yourself above all, but do so with due attention to the step-by-step plan below and prevent a Tick bite.

• Wear close-fitting clothing
  The chance of a Tick bite It becomes smaller when you wear close-fitting clothing. Think of closed shoes, long sleeves, long trousers, and tuck the trouser legs into your socks.
• Wear light-colored clothing
  The color of a tick stands out better against light colors. By wearing light-colored clothing, you will spot the tick sooner.
• Use a tick repellent
  Especially in high-risk areas, it is wise to apply a tick repellent. You probably immediately think of DEET. This is a good tick repellent, but it is certainly not toxin-free. A safe alternative for humans and the environment is a blend of essential oils (lemon, lavender, geranium, peppermint, oregano, rosemary, eucalyptus, tea tree) in a carrier oil such as sunflower oil.
  
• Stay on the paths as much as possible.
  By staying on the paths, you avoid dense vegetation, tall grass, and bushes, places where ticks like to hide.
• Check-up after outdoor activities
  Thoroughly check yourself, family members, and pets for ticks after outdoor activities, especially in areas with lots of grass, bushes, or woods.

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

The last tip is particularly important. After all, a tick can bite, or rather, bite, anywhere on the body. However, the groin, backs of the knees, armpits, the buttocks, the edges of underwear, behind the ears, and around the hairline on the neck are preferred spots. You usually feel very little of the bite and the sucking.As a result, the tick is often not noticed (in time), especially because the creature is so small. The sheep tick, for example, is only 0.5 to 3 mm in size. Its size increases when the tick engorges itself with blood. They then swell into a grey or brown ball. In this case, a sheep tick can even grow to as much as 11 mm.

Still a Tick bite? Then read our blog: Help, I have a Tick bite!

Health claims awaiting European approval

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