Spring walks in nature are pleasant and rewarding, especially in the forest. In this case, one of the possible troubles is a tick bite. Given that the bite itself is not painful, a person may not even feel it. But the consequences can be unpredictable, as ticks carry serious diseases. First, it can be tick-borne encephalitis. Secondly, such no less dangerous diseases as borreliosis, rickettsiosis, etc. If timely assistance is not provided to a person who has suffered from a tick bite, then the course of the disease will be severe, and its outcome will be unpredictable. Statistics record numerous cases of disability and death.
What to do with a tick biteThat is why it is not enough just to get rid of the tick by pulling it out of the body. To prevent possible infection, it is advisable to check the insect for borreliosis and encephalitis. For this, the extracted tick must be placed in a bottle in order to carry out the so-called PCR diagnostics in the near future. The results of the analysis will show whether the tick is a disease vector.
It may be necessary to take emergency measures, especially if the test is positive for encephalitis. In this case, the victim must be administered immunoglobulin. It is advisable to do this no later than three days after the bite of the parasite. Otherwise, you will have to use strong antiviral drugs.
If the causative agent of tick-borne borreliosis is found, then at the first stage it is enough to carefully monitor how the victim feels. In the presence of characteristic symptoms, it is imperative to consult an infectious disease doctor. However, the most accurate results as to whether an infection has occurred can only be obtained after a blood test. Moreover, the timing of the development of infections is different for different infections. For example, for PCR, the optimal analysis time will be no earlier than 10 days; ELISA (IgM antibodies) - 2 weeks, ELISA (IgM antibodies of borreliosis) - 3 weeks.
Procedure for a bite
First, in no case should you pull the tick out of the wound. This is dangerous, because its head can remain in the skin, even if most of it can be pulled out. In this case, it will be even more difficult to extract it.
Further actions should be extremely clear and fast. You need to inspect the bite site. After that, using tweezers, grab the insect as close to the proboscis as possible. It must be pulled out gradually and carefully, rotating around the axis . It is with this method of extraction that the teeth of the proboscis are folded, which ensures the integrity of the insect.
Another point: you need to pull out the tick very carefully, without squeezing, so that its contents do not remain in the wound. Sometimes it is advised that a tick that has adhered to the skin should be lubricated with gasoline, oil or something to cauterize. This should not be done! Not everyone knows that a tick convulsively can vomit the contents of its intestines or salivary glands into the wound, which will cause infection with encephalitis or other disease.
As mentioned above, the extracted tick should be saved and as soon as possible contact the nearest emergency room, where you will be provided with qualified assistance.
Save yourself from ticks, taking precautions
When dressing for a walk, you should choose closed clothes - long trousers, T-shirts and jackets with sleeves. From shoes, sneakers or boots will be optimal. Ticks tend to live in grass. By touching blades of grass, a person can also catch a tick, which first clings to clothes or shoes, and then digs into the skin.
It is advisable to use special sprays, ointments, creams that repel ticks before going to the forest. The head should also be closed, as it is more difficult to remove a tick from the hairline than from any other part of the body.
While walking, it is advisable to examine yourself and the children as often as possible. The parasite sticks to the skin in about 1.5 hours. If you notice a tick in time, it will be much easier to unhook it.
Be vigilant and careful, health is the most valuable thing a person has.