It won’t be long before the beautiful warms days of summer are upon us. But if we're not careful, something else may also be upon us: ticks. Every year, these little unwanted beasts take pleasure in feeding on our blood after latching onto us as we enjoy the great outdoors.
While a tick's bite is usually harmless, it can also be a vector of viruses or bacteria. On average in Belgium, 14% of ticks are infected with the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. This disease can be very serious if not detected in time and affects 12,000 Belgians every year.
How to prevent tick bites
Preventive combat against ticks involves the use of repellent products. The most common are made from compounds such as DEET (developed by the US army for soldiers during the Vietnam War), IR 3535, Icaridin or Citriodiol. Many of these are also found in anti-mosquito products.
Some essential oil blends have anti-insect properties such as tea-tree, lavender or lavender aspic, cloves and lemongrass.
These repellent products can be applied to clothes as well as to the skin. This deters ticks from clinging to cloth before migrating to unprotected skin.
Beyond repellent products, the main precautionary measure remains to wear clothes that cover the legs and arms, as well as closed shoes. Lighter coloured clothing also makes it easier to spot ticks. In general, it is better to avoid contact with bushes or tall grass where they are most commonly found.
But remember: no preventive measure is 100% effective. Inspection of the whole body for ticks remains necessary.
Do a tick check
After a "nature" outing, it is better to meticulously inspect your entire body for ticks, as the tiny insects can go undetected with just a casual glance. Ticks often nest in crannies on the body: behind the ears, in the folds of the groin or armpits, behind the knees, etc.
If the tick clings to the skin, it is advisable to remove it as soon as possible using tweezers or a tick card. They should be removed in a single movement without compressing the body of the insect. Be careful not to crush it.
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If you get bitten by a tick, contact your doctor directly to be sure to act in the best way to proceed. You will need to monitor the affected area for 30 days. If a red mark forms around the bite or if you have flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle or joint pain), you should go straight to your doctor.
According to Sciensano public health institute, in 2020, the number of tick bites increased compared to previous years with almost 10,000 reported. If you have been bitten, you can voluntarily and anonymously report yourself via the website or mobile app to help the Belgian Institute of Public Health monitor the evolution of tick bites.
Good luck out there!
