Places you may meet the tick…

Back in the day, meeting the tick was reserved for trips to the woods. Now our gardens are at risk too. And our homes as well. Where there is food, you can find the tick, often times carried by dogs and cats. Humans often carry it as well after spending time in nature, in the garden, on the golf court or just anywhere with vegetation.

The look and behaviour of the tick…

The tick is a tiny mite, 1.2-1.6 inches long, and quite hard to spot. But in spite of its small size, it is  in many countries considered the most dangerous animal in the forest. While that may sound a bit exaggerated, it can transmit severe infections to us.

How to prevent tick bites…Sæt dine bukseben ned i sokkerne.

1. Put your trouser legs into your socks

2. Keep the shirt in the pants.

3. Dress in light colours. Since the tick is dark, this makes it easier to spot.

4. Check your dog or cat when it has been out in nature, before letting it back inside. It is no problem for a tick to survive a couple of days on clothes or in a couch!

When bad luck strikes…

Most people don’t notice that they have a tick on them. Because of this, it can be a good idea, after a trip out in nature, to check the favourite spots of the blood-thirsty ticks.

In some cases, ticks transmit Borrelia bacteria. Therefore, when you get home, it is a good idea to look for ticks in scalp, armpits, by the waistbands, the groin or the kneecaps. However, since the ticks seek dark and humid places, it can take several days before humans find them.

Later, when the fleet has started sucking blood, it starts to grow in size. Do not try to rip it off the skin with your fingers. It is sticking with its very strong bite, and hard to twist off without making it get smushed––and thereby get the bacteria on your fingers.

In case of being infected by bacteria, the bite can evolve into a red rash, which later spreads across the skin. In cases like this, symptoms of being bit will often be headaches with light fever, not feeling very good in general, and possibly muscle pains. In some cases symptoms can be even more severe.

How to remove the tick…

A tick should be removed as soon as possible. However, no bacteria is transmitted within the first 24 hours. Therefore, as mentioned earlier, make a rule of checking yourself just after a trip out in nature. Even what appears to be a birthmark can turn out to be a tick. The best and most safe way to remove a tick is by using a SafeCard. Check the instructions for use.

If accident strikes…

In case the tick attack does evolve into an even bigger mark on the skin, it might be a Borrelia infection, so make sure to reach out to your doctor as soon as possible. Be aware, that from the time the bite evolves, it can take up to 4 months for a rash to show on the skin.