Actions for a tick bite. Human infection with tick-borne encephalitis occurs through the bite of an infected tick. Ticks bite thousands of people every year, but only a few of those affected develop serious illnesses, such as encephalitis or borreliosis. The danger of a tick bite is that insects carry many various diseases, which will be discussed below. A tick bite does not mean that a person will get sick with tick-borne encephalitis and / or borreliosis, as well as other diseases. Once on the body, the tick does not bite immediately. It may take several hours for the tick to suck. If the tick is noticed in time, then the bite can be avoided. It happens that a person gets a tick bite while at home, a tick can get into the house by arriving on the back of your favorite animal: a dog or a cat. You returned from a forest walk - and here it is, a tick, hanging on your hand. Let's figure out what to do. If your region is encephalitis-free, you shouldn't take a tick bite lightly. The presence of the pathogen in the tick does not mean that the bitten person will get sick with encephalitis or borreliosis. Females of ticks can suck blood for about 6-10 days, reaching a length of 11 mm.

What should I do if bitten by a tick

If the tick suction still occurs, the initial consultation can always be obtained by calling 03.

To remove the tick, you will most likely be sent to the district SES or the district trauma center.

If you do not have the opportunity to seek help from a medical facility, then the tick will have to be removed on your own.

It is convenient to remove ticks with curved tweezers or a surgical clamp, in principle any other tweezers will do. In this case, the tick must be grabbed as close to the proboscis as possible, then it is carefully pulled up, while rotating around its axis in a convenient direction. Usually, after 1-3 turns, the tick is removed entirely together with the proboscis. If you try to pull out the tick, then the probability of its rupture is high.

There are special devices for removing ticks.

These devices have an advantage over clamps or tweezers, since the body of the tick is not squeezed, squeezing the contents of the tick into the wound is excluded, this reduces the risk of contracting tick-borne infections.

If there are no tweezers or special devices at hand, then the tick can be removed with a thread.

A strong thread is tied in a knot as close as possible to the tick proboscis, then the tick is removed by slowly swinging it and pulling it up. Sudden movements are unacceptable - the tick will burst.

If, when removing the tick, its head, which looks like a black dot, comes off, the place of suction is wiped with cotton wool or a bandage moistened with alcohol, and then the head is removed with a sterile needle (pre-calcined on fire) in the same way as you remove an ordinary splinter.

There are no grounds for some far-fetched advice that for better removal, ointment dressings or oil solutions should be applied to the sucked tick. The oil can block the airways of the tick and the tick will die and remain in the skin. After removing the tick, the skin at the site of its suction is treated with iodine tincture or alcohol. Bandaging is usually not required.

What is the threat of a tick bite?

Even if the tick bite was short-lived, the risk of contracting tick-borne infections is not excluded.

The mite can be a source of quite a large number diseases, therefore, after removing the tick, save it for research on infection with tick-borne infections (tick-borne encephalitis, tick-borne borreliosis, if there is a possibility for other infections), usually this can be done in an infectious diseases hospital, on our website for a number of cities there are laboratory addresses.

The tick should be placed in a small glass bottle along with a piece of cotton wool slightly moistened with water. Be sure to close the bottle with a tight cap and store it in the refrigerator. For microscopic diagnosis, the tick must be delivered to the laboratory alive. Even individual tick fragments are suitable for PCR diagnostics. However, the latter method is not widely used even in large cities.

It must be understood that the presence of an infection in a tick does not mean that a person will get sick. The analysis of the tick is needed for calmness in case of a negative result and vigilance - in case of a positive one.

The surest way to determine the presence of a disease is to take a blood test. It is not necessary to donate blood immediately after a tick bite - tests will not show anything. Not earlier than after 10 days, you can test the blood for tick-borne encephalitis and borreliosis by PCR. Two weeks after a tick bite for antibodies (IgM) to the virus tick-borne encephalitis... Antibodies (IgM) to borrelia (tick-borne borreliosis) - in a month.

Tick-borne encephalitis (see the List of territories endemic for tick-borne encephalitis in 2010) - the most dangerous of tick-borne infections (consequences - up to death). Emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis should be carried out as early as possible, preferably on the first day.

Emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis is carried out using antiviral drugs or immunoglobulin.

Antiviral drugs.

In the Russian Federation, this is Yodantipirin for adults and children over 14 years old.
Anaferon for children for children under 14 years old.
If you could not find the indicated drugs, theoretically they can be replaced by other antiviral agents (cycloferon, arbidol, remantadine).

Immunoglobulin- it is advisable only during the first three days. IN European countries discontinued. The disadvantages include high cost, frequent allergic reactions.

Not earlier than after 10 days, you can test the blood for tick-borne encephalitis by PCR. Two weeks after a tick bite for antibodies (IgM) to tick-borne encephalitis virus. If a person is vaccinated against the tick-borne encephalitis virus, no action is required.

Tick-borne borreliosis - a dangerous disease, often secretive, but in case of transition to a chronic form, leading to disability. Distributed practically throughout the territory of the Russian Federation, transmitted by ticks. Emergency prevention of tick-borne borreliosis in an adult can be carried out by drinking one tablet of doxycycline (200 mg) no later than 72 hours after the tick bite, in a child over 8 years old - 4 mg per 1 kg of weight, but not more than 200 mg. For children under 8 and pregnant women, emergency prophylaxis is not available. Regardless of whether emergency prevention of tick-borne borreliosis was carried out or not, blood should be donated for antibodies to tick-borne borreliosis (IgM). It is better to take the analysis 3-4 weeks after the tick bite, it does not make sense earlier - it will be negative. If the result is positive, or redness appears at the site of the tick bite a few days after the bite, you need to contact an infectious disease specialist. Tick-borne borreliosis in the early stages is treated very quickly.

Hemorrhagic fevers, a group of natural focal viral diseases transmitted from animals to humans, united by common clinical signs - fever (fever), subcutaneous and internal hemorrhages. According to the pathogen, as well as the method of spreading the infection, several types are distinguished.

Crimean hemorrhagic fever occurs in the form of sporadic cases in the southern steppe regions of the Russian Federation - Crimea, Taman Peninsula, Rostov Region, South Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, as well as in Bulgaria, i.e., where ixodid ticks (Hyalomma) are common. Infection occurs in the spring and summer. The incubation period is 2-7 days. The pathogen is found in the blood of patients during the entire febrile period. Convalescent blood serum has specific antiviral properties.

Omsk hemorrhagic fever first described among residents of the lakeside villages of Siberia, among hunters and their families, in the Barabinskaya steppe. Natural foci of the Omsk hemorrhagic fever were found in the Omsk, Novosibirsk, Kurgan, Tyumen and Orenburg regions. It is possible that they are also present in some neighboring territories (Northern Kazakhstan, Altai and Krasnoyarsk Territories). Found in autumn-winter period in the form of outbreaks that are associated with epizootics in game animals. The main vectors of the disease are Dermacentor ticks. The incubation period is 3-7 days. In humans, the virus is detected during the entire febrile period. Currently, cases of the disease are extremely rare.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (hemorrhagic nephroso-nephritis) occurs in Europe and Asia in the form of group outbreaks and sporadic (isolated) cases. The transmission mechanism is not well understood; transmission through gamasid mites is assumed. Natural foci can be formed in various landscapes (forest, steppe, tundra). The reservoir of infection is some species of murine rodents. The incubation period is 11-24 days. Iodantipyrine can be used for emergency prevention of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.

About tick bites in questions and answers

Q: I was bitten by a tick, what should I do?
О .: Read the article: "What to do if bitten by a tick", the issues discussed in the article will not be considered below.

Q: How to find out tick-borne Encephalitis or not?
A: Tick-borne encephalitis is a virus that is carried by ixodid ticks - but not every tick carries it. By appearance it is impossible to determine whether a tick is encephalitic or not - this can only be done in a laboratory. In almost all cities where there is a risk of contracting tick-borne encephalitis, it is possible to take a tick for analysis (usually a tick can also be checked for other infections common in the region). On our website, for a number of cities, the addresses and phone numbers of such laboratories are indicated.

Q: I took off the tick, it looks like it just started to stick, is there a risk of getting sick and what?
A: The risk of getting sick with tick-borne infections exists even with a short time tick sucking.

It will not be possible to unequivocally answer the question of what can be infected, since in different regions ticks carry various infections.
Tick-borne encephalitis is considered the most dangerous disease transmitted by ticks, annually Rospotrebnadzor publishes lists of territories of the Russian Federation endemic for tick-borne encephalitis; unfortunately, such information is not published for other infections.
Tick-borne borreliosis (Lyme) is a very insidious disease, as it often runs latently, becomes chronic and leads to disability. Ticks infected with borrelia are found to a greater or lesser extent in most of the territories of the Russian Federation, as well as in the countries of Europe, Asia and North America... A common symptom of tick-borne borreliosis disease at the initial stage is the occurrence of migrating annular erythema at the site of tick suction.
In the southern regions of Russia, the most dangerous disease carried by ticks is the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

There are other diseases, so if you feel unwell, see your doctor right away.

Q: I was bitten by a tick, two weeks have passed since the bite, I felt good, and today my temperature rose, what should I do?

A: Feeling unwell may not be associated with a tick bite, but tick-borne infections cannot be ruled out. Be sure to see a doctor.

Redness of the tick bite

Q: The tick was removed, the bite site turned red almost immediately. What does it mean?

A: Most likely, this is an allergic reaction to the bite, inspect the bite site daily, if you notice an increase in the spot, soreness of the bite site or a deterioration in overall health, consult a doctor.

Q: The tick was removed, but after a few days the bite site was swollen, it hurts to touch.

A: You need to see a surgeon.

Q: They removed the tick, at first the bite site was a little red, then the redness passed, and today, two weeks after the bite, it turned red again.

A: You should see an infectious disease doctor. Very often, the early stage of the disease with tick-borne borreliosis is accompanied by the appearance of a migratory ring erythema at the site of the bite.

Emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis

Q: I live in a region endemic for tick-borne encephalitis. Yesterday I was bitten by a tick, noticed it in the evening, immediately removed it and took it to the laboratory for analysis. Today they called from the laboratory, said that the tick-borne encephalitis virus was found in the tick and that I needed to take a course of iodantipyrine on drink. What else can be done to prevent tick-borne encephalitis? Very worried.
A: You should not worry too much, since the bite of an infected tick does not mean that a person will get sick (even without prevention). Iodantipyrine, along with immunoglobulin, is approved for use for emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis - its effectiveness has been proven. You can also recommend a balanced diet during the incubation period of EC, try to avoid any stressful situations for the body (overheating, hypothermia, heavy physical activity etc.).

V .: I was bitten by a tick, I threw it out, and now I'm worried - suddenly the tick was encephalitis. When can I donate blood for analysis?
О .: It makes no sense to donate blood immediately after a tick bite - tests will not show anything. Not earlier than after 10 days, you can test the blood for tick-borne encephalitis by PCR. Two weeks later, for antibodies (IgM) to tick-borne encephalitis virus.

Q: I am pregnant (10 weeks). Bitten by a tick - what to do to prevent tick-borne encephalitis?
A: Studies of the effect of immunoglobulin and iodantipyrine on the fetus have not been carried out, therefore pregnancy is indicated as contraindications to them. Both drugs are prescribed by a doctor for strict indications when the intended benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. Many doctors recommend simply observing the state of health - most people do not get sick with a tick bite infected with tick-borne encephalitis.

Q: A tick bit a one-year-old child. What can be done to prevent tick-borne encephalitis?

A: For emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis in children, immunoglobulin or anaferon for children is used.

Q: I was bitten by a tick, I am vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis, what can I do to prevent it?

A: Vaccination is the most reliable protection against tick-borne encephalitis. For prevention, you do not need to take anything - you already have immunity.

Q: A week ago I was given immunoglobulin of tick-borne encephalitis, and today I was bitten by a tick again. Should I be worried about tick-borne encephalitis?

О .: The introduction of immunoglobulin creates immunity, it is weaker than during vaccination, but it is able to protect for some time (usually up to 1 month) from tick-borne encephalitis. That is, in your case, you don't have to worry about CE.

Q: I took iodantipyrine according to the preventive (before the tick bite) scheme. I was bitten by a tick, what should I do, how should I take iodantipyrine?

A: You should go to the "after tick sucking" scheme.

Q: The tick was removed, most likely on the 4th day from the moment of suction. The tick has not survived, has not applied to anywhere, I feel good. What can I do to prevent tick-borne encephalitis?

A: You can start taking iodantipyrine (immunoglobulin is ineffective on the third day, on the fourth - its use is impractical), although, of course, time for emergency prevention has already been lost. Monitor your well-being, if you find a worsening of the condition, consult a doctor.

Q: I am going on a long hike; I will not have the opportunity to see a doctor in case of a tick bite. What do i do?

A: Avoid tick bites - read the article: Preventing Tick Bites. If you have at least 3 weeks before your trip, then it is better to take a course of vaccination - this is the best way to prevent tick-borne encephalitis. If there is no time, then take iodantipyrine on a hike (you won't be able to take immunoglobulin with you).

Q: I was bitten by a tick, I pulled it out. I am very worried, but there is no way to go to a doctor (I am far from civilization), there is no way to buy medicines. How to be?

A: Most people who have not received emergency prophylaxis do not get sick with a tick bite infected with tick-borne encephalitis. Since you don't even know if the tick was infected or not, you shouldn't panic. Try to find a way to see a doctor if you feel unwell.

With the onset of warm days, a person awaits not only a pleasant rest, but also ticks that are capable of carrying various dangerous diseases. The tick clings to clothing, looking for open areas skin, bites into it. A person may not feel the bite, but it is extremely difficult not to notice the characteristic symptoms.

It is important to know what a tick looks like, what to do during a bloodsucker bite. Knowledge of the symptoms that indicate dangerous ailments plays an important role. Study carefully next material, follow useful advice doctors.

During the bite itself, the tick produces an anesthetic, so the victim does not feel it. After 20 minutes, pain impulses again enter the brain, the person begins to feel unpleasant symptoms, itching.

What should I do if bitten by a tick

Before figuring out what to do with a tick, you need to study the symptoms of a bloodsucker bite, the danger it poses.

Symptoms and Signs

What does a tick bite look like? In most cases, a person manages to notice the bite of a bloodsucker before the tick disappears. At the site of the vinegar, there is a noticeable redness, swelling, burning sensation, and a lump appears, which, in a good situation, will subside in a week. In rare cases, the appearance of pain in soft tissues, some people have symptoms of an allergic reaction if there is an increased sensitivity, an allergy to tick bites. If the stain does not go away on its own, see a doctor immediately.

In severe cases, when infected with dangerous ailments in patients affected by bloodsuckers, the following symptoms are observed:

• fever, chills, headache;
• shortness of breath, swelling of the skin;
• rashes all over the body;
• numbness;
• difficulty walking, paralysis of the lower limbs;
• lack of appetite, sleep disturbances.

Note! The presence of vomiting, nausea, fever, edema, heart palpitations, loss of consciousness in a patient requires an immediate call to doctors at home.

What threatens a tick bite for humans

In the worst situation, a tick can infect a person with such infections:

• tick-borne encephalitis. It is a viral disease, the main symptoms include: hyperthermia, intoxication, central nervous system human (meningitis, encephalitis). The consequences of the course of the disease include: neurological pathologies that lead to personality changes, in some cases - to disability, even death. The first signs of the disease are noted in the first seven days, prevention should be done several days after the bite;
• hemorrhagic fever. It is an infectious disease caused by a virus. Signs of infection include: intoxication of the body, the onset of fever, subcutaneous hemorrhage, a change in the composition of the patient's blood. Experts distinguish between Crimean and Omsk fever. With a timely visit to the doctor, the prognosis is favorable. Treatment consists in taking antiviral medicines, vitamins that strengthen blood vessels;
• borreliosis or Lyme disease. It is an infectious disease of a bacterial nature. General intoxication of the body is accompanied by a sharp rise in temperature, headache, constantly migrating rash, fatigue. Bacteria can infect human organs and systems (especially the nervous and musculoskeletal, cardiovascular). Late assistance leads to disability.

Given the danger of a tick bite for a person, be sure to pay attention to such a nuisance, visit a doctor if necessary.

How to get a bloodsucker out

Learn about the main similarities and differences, and what to do with stinging insect bites.

What not to do:

How to treat the wound

In the first minutes, it is important to provide first aid for a tick bite. Wash your hands thoroughly soapy water, treat the wound with any antiseptic (alcohol, hydrogen peroxide will do). It is not recommended to apply brilliant green or iodine, this will impair the view of the affected area, make it difficult to destroy the bloodsucker.

• ticks cannot bite through clothes, he will look for an open area of \u200b\u200bskin, so when going to nature, put on a tight shirt, trousers;
• take care of protecting exposed areas of the body (wear socks, button up the sleeves). You can also spray yourself with insect repellents such as mites. It is advisable to wear light-colored clothes, small bloodsuckers are noticeable on it;
• after relaxing in nature, carefully inspect your clothes, body. The tick moves slowly, so it can be easily removed (do not pick it up with your bare hands);
• if you find a bloodsucker on the body, contact an infectious disease specialist.

A tick bite can be dangerous to health, even human life. Be vigilant, if unpleasant symptoms occur, immediately contact a doctor or call an ambulance.

What to do with a tick bite? How to behave to prevent an insect attack? Find out the answers from the following video:

The most comprehensive measures for providing first aid for a tick bite are required in regions with a severe epidemiological situation for tick-borne encephalitis, that is, where the likelihood of contracting the tick-borne encephalitis virus is greatest. This is primarily Siberia - Irkutsk, Tomsk and Krasnoyarsk regions, as well as Altai and Far East... Also, permanent foci of circulation of the virus and cases of infection are recorded in the Kaliningrad and Leningrad regions, Baltic countries, Belarus, Transcarpathian region of Ukraine. Here, in addition to the simplest steps to remove the tick, you also need to go to the hospital for special tests.

Why is it so important to provide first aid to the injured person in time when a tick bites?

The second reason why an injured person may need urgent help is allergies. In general, it rarely occurs on tick bites and almost never threatens life-threatening conditions. Nevertheless, there is a risk of severe course of it, and first aid is designed to minimize it.

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to destroy infectious agents that have already entered the body with a tick bite (if they have already entered the body) with first aid measures. With some probability, you can immediately eliminate borreliosis infection if you take an effective antibiotic, but in practice, borreliosis is safer and easier to cure if it is diagnosed in the early stages at the first symptoms, rather than insuring against it with antibiotics, which can often cause severe side effects.

Therefore, you need to understand well that in a real situation it will not be possible to protect the victim from infection with 100% reliability by only providing him with first aid.

The very same sequence in providing such assistance is relatively simple.

Step 1. Remove the tick

This is the main thing to do when a sucked tick is found. It makes no sense to take any other measures if the tick continues to suck blood.

On a note

In the same way, you need to remove ticks from the skin of a dog or cat. In veterinary practice, diseases carried by ticks are very relevant, although they differ from those in humans. In general, the rules for protecting animals are the same as for humans.

The photo below shows the so-called forest mite, just removed from the skin:

If you do not panic and fuss, then even without special devices with nails of normal length, it is quite possible to remove the tick from the skin so as not to tear off its head. However, it is even more effective and safer when walking in nature to stop every 20-30 minutes, lift the legs and examine the legs under them. So it will be possible to detect ticks that have just grabbed onto the skin and remove them even before they begin to suck blood.

Step 2. Treat the bite site

This step is required in order to somewhat mitigate the skin's reaction to the bite and components of the tick's saliva, as well as partially disinfect the wound. However, the effectiveness and importance of such treatment should not be overestimated - local treatment of a tick bite is not a reliable prevention of infection. However, sometimes it can prevent the bite from developing a blister and protect the damaged tissue and exposure to additional infectious agents from the environment.

To disinfect the wound, after washing it with soap and water, it is treated with antiseptics (alcohol, an alcohol solution of iodine, Miramistin) or natural preparations - celandine juice, for example. Due to the small diameter of the hole, the wound from the bite quickly tightens, practically does not bleed and is protected from secondary infection.

To relieve unpleasant symptoms, the bite site is usually lubricated with ointments with anti-inflammatory components (hydrocortisone, Advantan, Pimafukort, Flucinar).

On a note

If a progressive and rapidly spreading rash appears on the skin near the wound or on any other part of the body after a tick attack, the victim needs to take an antihistamine - Suprastin, Loratadin, Ebastin or others. This point is especially important, since immediately after a tick bite, it is the hypersensitivity reactions that pose the greatest danger to the patient, despite their relative rarity.

If the rash is very profuse and becomes similar to urticaria, then you must immediately call an ambulance, without waiting for further deterioration of the victim's condition (this can happen quickly).

At this stage, in fact, the first first aid ends. All other means and methods are available only in specialized medical institutions and do not apply to emergency care - they can be carried out within the next 3-4 days after a tick bite. But it is also useful to know about them, since it is the victim who must take the initiative in their application.

Step 3. Conduct emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis

Emergency prevention of tick-borne encephalitis consists in the introduction of specific immunoglobulin preparations into the victim's body, which, by binding to viral particles, inactivates them, prevents spreading in the body and most likely stops the development of the disease.

It is important that the injection of immunoglobulin is able to prevent the development of tick-borne encephalitis just after the bite, comparing favorably with the anti-encephalitis vaccine (the latter must be administered just before the pathogen enters the body). Emergency prophylaxis completes its tasks within 4 days after the bite, but it is better to seek it within the first two days.

It is interesting

The effectiveness of such prevention of tick-borne encephalitis (especially correctly and on time) is very high. Depending on the region, 93-95% of people who receive an immunoglobulin injection from a tick bite do not develop encephalitis. This does not mean that the effectiveness of the remedy is of the same magnitude - after all, not every tick is a carrier of the virus and not even every bite of an infected tick leads to the development of the disease. Plus, the agent is often introduced too late, and often in areas endemic for one strain of the virus, immunoglobulins are used against other strains (for example, an Austrian drug is used in Siberia). Nevertheless, the security indicator still remains quite high and allows us to consider this method as the most reliable protection affected by the development of a dangerous disease.

Such prophylaxis is carried out in most public clinics and hospitals located in areas with a high epidemiological danger of tick-borne encephalitis. However, in reality, its implementation may be associated with various difficulties: different institutions are supplied with drugs to varying degrees, in some periods, due to the influx of victims, the reserves of immunoglobulin are quickly depleted, and in some places it is very difficult to get to the doctor simply because of poor organization. In addition, the production of immunoglobulins abroad is sharply reduced today, where the frequency of tick-borne encephalitis has significantly decreased, and the drug itself is constantly becoming more expensive.

At the same time, it is impossible to buy immunoglobulin on your own and give yourself an injection - drugs of this action are distributed only in medical institutions and are subject to strict accounting.

Therefore, at this step, you need to report to the state medical institution and try to get an injection of immunoglobulin. This is not very cheap due to the high cost of the drug itself.

The administration of immunoglobulin is required only once. After each subsequent bite, these injections should be repeated, although the immunoglobulins themselves remain active in the body for several months.

On a note

You can also find recommendations for taking iodantipyrine with a tick bite - as an antiviral and prophylactic agent, but the validity of its use is ambiguous. The tool has not passed full clinical trials, and its effectiveness has not been confirmed. In any case, it can be taken only in accordance with the instructions for use, taking into account all contraindications and possible side effects.

It is only important that the tick is alive - body fragments for the presence of antigens can not be examined in every laboratory, and such a study itself is longer and more complex.

Step 4. Conduct emergency prevention of borreliosis

Similar to the prevention of tick-borne encephalitis, emergency prevention of Lyme disease consists in the introduction into the victim's body of drugs that can suppress the activity and spread of the pathogen. These are mainly antibiotics of the penicillin and tetracyclin groups.

However, the need for such actions is not as clear as in the case of tick-borne encephalitis. The fact is that even after the appearance of obvious diagnostic signs, borreliosis is relatively easy to treat, and the likelihood of infection by it with a tick bite is very small. But its specific prevention requires the use of antibiotics, which can sometimes cause unwanted side effects.

Simply put, both the prevention and treatment of borreliosis are carried out by the same means and are approximately equally effective. Moreover, even without preventive measures, tick-borne borreliosis develops in only about 2% of bitten people - this casts some doubt on the need to prevent borreliosis with each tick bite.

On a note

The photo below shows a tick drinking blood:

For truly effective care, it is important not only to know what measures to take in case of a tick attack, but also to understand what not to do in order not to harm the victim. Sometimes, improper first aid action can even increase the risk of contracting diseases that are carried by ticks.

For example, you cannot:

In general, as in any situation, when a tick bites you should not panic and stay inactive, since you can make mistakes, which will then respond with undesirable consequences.

It is useful to keep in mind that in other areas, hunters and fishermen are bitten by dozens of ticks every day, and no severe consequences it doesn't happen. The likelihood of infection after each specific bite is not so great, so you should treat tick attacks calmly, but do everything to minimize the risk of infection.

What to do next?

When first aid has already been provided, you need to closely monitor the condition of the victim for several months.

Lyme disease is characterized by the fact that with timely diagnosis and the beginning of treatment, it heals quickly enough, and therefore it is important not to miss the beginning of the manifestation of its first symptoms. Tick-borne encephalitis, as a viral disease, requires much more complex therapy, but here, too, timely diagnosis plays an important role in the success of treatment.

The incubation period for infection with tick-borne encephalitis lasts from 4 to 16 days, and for infection with Lyme borrelia - 1-2 weeks (but sometimes much longer, up to several months). In children, the duration of the incubation period of these diseases is somewhat shorter than in adults - the parents are responsible for monitoring the child's condition.

Therefore, after a tick bite for at least 1-2 months, special attention should be paid to the following symptoms in the victim:

1. Fever, fever are characteristic of both diseases;
2. Pain in the head, impaired coordination of movements, frequent dizziness, clouding of consciousness are signs of encephalitis and, to a lesser extent, borreliosis;
3. The appearance of erythema migrans - a characteristic redness at the site of the bite, around which a "ring" separated from it appears. This is the main and most obvious symptom of Lyme disease;
4. Cough and runny nose, neck stiffness.

Disease carriers are most often ixodid ticks

General information about ticks

Ticks are seasonal. The first attacks are recorded in early spring, when the air temperature rises above 0 0 С, and the latter - in autumn. The peak bites are from April to July.

Bloodsuckers do not like the bright sun and wind, so they watch for their prey in wet, not too shady places, in dense grass and bushes. Most often found in ravines, on forest edges, along the edges of paths or in parks.

Tick \u200b\u200battack and bite

The mite gnaws through the skin using a hypostome ( mouth apparatus) dotted at the edges with growths facing back. This structure of the organ helps the bloodsucker to stay firmly in the tissues of the host.

With borreliosis, a tick bite looks like focal erythema up to 20-50 cm in diameter. The form of inflammation is most often correct, with a bright red outer border. After a day, the center of erythema turns pale and becomes bluish, a crust appears and soon the site of the bite is scarred. After 10-14 days, there is no trace of the lesion.

Signs of a tick bite

• there is weakness, desire to lie down;
• chills and fever occur, possibly an increase in temperature;
• photophobia appears.

Attention. In people of this group, symptoms can be supplemented by low blood pressure, increased heart rate, itching, headache and enlargement of nearby lymph nodes.

In rare cases, there is difficulty in breathing and hallucinations.

Temperature after a bite as a symptom of the disease

Each infection caused by a bloodsucker bite has its own characteristics:

1. With tick-borne encephalitis, a recurrent fever appears. The first rise in temperature is recorded 2–3 days after the bite. After two days everything is back to normal. In some cases, there is a repeated rise in temperature for 9-10 days.
2. Borreliosis is characterized by a fever in the middle of the disease, which is accompanied by other symptoms of infection.
3. With monocytic ehrlichiosis, the temperature rises 10-14 days after the tick bite and lasts about 3 weeks.

Almost all diseases transmitted by bloodsuckers are accompanied by fever.

Rules of conduct for a tick bite

So what if bitten by a tick? The first step is to remove the bloodsucker as soon as possible. This should be done slowly and carefully so as not to damage it and not provoke infection. Do not use gasoline, nail polish or other chemicals. Will not help and vegetable oil or fat. Better to use effective and field-proven methods.

Removing a tick with a thread

The method is simple, but requires a lot of dexterity and patience. It will be useful when extracting large individuals. For the procedure to be successful, it is recommended to do the following:

Removing the tick with a thread

The removed bloodsucker must be placed in a glass container with a tight lid and taken to the laboratory for research.

Removing the tick with tweezers

Attention. Tweezers during removal of the bloodsucker must be kept strictly parallel or perpendicular to the skin.

Tick \u200b\u200bunscrews

Tick \u200b\u200btwists are very effective

Other ways to remove a tick

1. Wrap your fingers with a handkerchief or gauze to make it easier to hold the tick.
2. Grab it at the very border with the skin and pull it out with smooth twisting movements.
3. Disinfect the wound or rinse with water.

If for some reason the tick cannot be saved for analysis, it should be destroyed by pouring boiling water or burning it on fire.

Attention. If you cannot remove the bloodsucker yourself, you need to contact the nearest emergency room.

Medical workers will provide first aid for a tick bite: they will professionally remove it and send it for research, disinfect the wound and tell you how to proceed. The doctor will definitely inform you what symptoms should be paid attention to in the next month.

What to do after removing the tick?

In people who are prone to allergies, a tick bite can cause a strong response from the body. Often, swelling of the face develops, there is difficulty in breathing and muscle pain. In this case, it is necessary:

• give the victim an antihistamine: Suprastin, Claritin, Zyrtec;
• provide access fresh air, unbutton clothes;
• call an ambulance.

All other diagnostic and therapeutic measures are carried out only in a hospital setting.

Disease testing of the tick is recommended as soon as possible.

If the tick could not be kept alive, for early diagnosis of the disease, it is recommended to donate blood for the detection of immunoglobulins for infections. The analysis is carried out quickly, the result is usually ready in 5-6 hours. If there was a vaccination, when donating blood, you must indicate its date. The presence of vaccine antibodies can be confusing to healthcare professionals.

Diseases caused by tick bites

Encephalitis and borreliosis are the most common diseases caused by tick bites

For Russia, the most significant tick-borne diseases are tick-borne encephalitis, Lyme borreliosis and zoonotic infections. Let's consider them in a little more detail.

Attention. Infection with the virus occurs through a tick bite. Alimentary transmission of the pathogen is often recorded - through infected cow or goat milk that has not been boiled.

The asymptomatic course of the disease is very common and can reach 85–90% in some foci. Prolonged bloodsucking significantly increases the risk of pronounced forms of pathology. The virus tolerates well low temperatures, but dies rather quickly when heated to 80 ° C.

Tick-borne encephalitis infection is seasonal. The first peak of the disease occurs in May-June, the second is recorded in August - early September.

During a bite, the pathogen immediately enters the blood of a person through the salivary glands of the tick, where it is in the highest concentration. After a few hours, the virus enters the central nervous system of the victim, and after 2 days it can be detected in the brain tissues. The incubation period of encephalitis with a tick bite is 14–21 days, with infection through milk - no more than a week.

Tick-borne encephalitis symptoms

Most of the victims have an asymptomatic form of infection, and only 5% have a pronounced one. Tick-borne encephalitis most often begins suddenly with the following symptoms:

• body temperature increased to 39-40 ° C;
• strong headache;
• sleep disturbance;
• nausea, up to vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• redness of the skin of the face and upper body;
• weakness, decreased performance.

Such symptoms are characteristic of the febrile form of the disease, which disappears after 5 days. The defeat of the central nervous system in this case is absent.

Symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis - this is what a person looks like after a tick bite

The meningeal and meningoencephalitic forms of pathology are much more difficult. The patient complains of lethargy, apathy and drowsiness. Hallucinations, delirium, impaired consciousness, convulsions similar to epileptic seizures appear. The meningoencephalitic form can be fatal, which for recent years very rare.

Periodic twitching of the muscles indicates damage to the peripheral nerves. A polyradiculoneuritic form of encephalitis develops, in which general sensitivity is impaired. With the polioencephalomyelitis form of the disease, paresis of the arms and legs is observed.

Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis)

Distributed in northern regions Russia. The pathogen enters the human bloodstream when bitten by ixodid ticks and can persist in the body for years. The first symptoms of the disease include:

• headaches;
• temperature rise to 38-39 ° C;
• fatigue, weakness and apathy.

1–3 weeks after the tick bite, a seal and annular erythema appears at the site of suction, which can reach 20–50 cm in diameter.

Circular erythema is the main symptom of borreliosis

Attention. Despite the fact that a few weeks after the bite, the red spot disappears without a trace, it is necessary to conduct an analysis for the presence of the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis, since the disease has serious complications and can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to a child.

Often the central nervous system, heart, muscles and ligaments, joints and organs of vision are involved in the pathological process. Late diagnosis and untimely therapy can lead to chronicity of borreliosis, which often ends in disability.

Ehrlichiosis

The disease is also transmitted by ixodid ticks. Deer are considered the main reservoir of Ehrlichia, dogs and horses are the intermediate ones.

Ehrlichiosis can be asymptomatic or clinically bright, up to fatal outcome... Common signs of the disease include:

• fever;
• increased sweating;
• weakness, drowsiness;
• nausea up to vomiting;
• rigor.

In the acute phase of ehrlichiosis, anemia is observed, a decrease in the level of platelets and leukocytes in the blood.

Recurrent tick-borne typhus

The infection is usually registered in the south of Russia, in Armenia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. The disease always occurs suddenly and begins with a bubble at the site of the tick bite. Then other symptoms are added to the skin manifestations:

• fever;
• increased body temperature;
• aching joints;
• nausea and vomiting;
• headache.

Gradually, the bubble becomes bright red, a pronounced rash appears on the patient's body, the liver enlarges, the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow.

Rash with tick-borne typhus

The disease is wavy in nature. The acute phase usually lasts from 3 to 5 days, then the victim's condition returns to normal, the temperature decreases. After a few days, everything is repeated again. There can be many such attacks. Each subsequent course is less pronounced.

Coxiellosis

It is one of the most common zoonotic infections in the world. The carrier of the disease can be both farm animals and wild animals. One of the distributors of the pathogen is a tick, most often ixodid. He is able to keep rickettsia in the body for a long time and transmit them to offspring. The first symptoms appear 5-30 days after the tick bite:

• increased sweating;
• high temperature;
• dry, debilitating cough;
• loss of appetite;
• redness of the face and upper body;
• migraines, weakness and drowsiness.

Quite often, KU-fever is accompanied by pneumonia, back pain and muscle pain. The temperature in the first days of the disease can change several times during the day. Such a disease is treated only in a hospital setting, therapy lends itself well and recovery occurs quickly. Complications are rare; the outcome of the disease is most often favorable. A person who has had coxiellosis develops strong immunity.

Treatment of victims of a tick bite

If a tick has bitten and the test results show an infection, the patient is given immunotherapy on the basis of a doctor's prescription. Further treatment depends on the type of pathogen that has entered the body.

Treatment of patients with tick-borne encephalitis

To date, there are no specific methods for treating tick-borne encephalitis. When signs of damage to the central nervous system appear, the victim must be hospitalized to provide him with medical care. The therapy regimen includes:

1. Bed rest for the entire duration of the fever and for a week after its end.
2. In the first days of the disease, the administration of immunoglobulin is indicated. For best results, apply the product as early as possible, preferably in the first three days after the tick bite.
3. In general cases, the patient is prescribed corticosteroid drugs, blood substitutes.
4. With meningitis, increased doses of vitamins B and C are administered.
5. If the respiratory functions deteriorate, the victim is shown artificial ventilation.

During the recovery period, the patient is prescribed nootropics, tranquilizers and testosterone imitators.

Antibiotics may be prescribed as an adjunct to the main treatment for the bite victim. Antimicrobial drugs are used to suppress pathogenic microflora that can cause various complications.

Therapy for patients with borreliosis

Treatment for Lyme borreliosis involves taking antibiotics. They are used to suppress spirochetes, the causative agents of the disease. The most commonly used drugs are the penicillin series and cephalosporins. To stop erythema, antimicrobial agents of the tetracycline group are prescribed.

Antibiotics are used to treat borreliosis

When neurological disorders appear, the victim is hospitalized. Complex therapy is carried out in the hospital, which includes:

• blood substitutes;
• corticosteroids;
• testosterone imitators;
• nootropic drugs to improve cerebral circulation;
• vitamin complexes.

The outcome of borreliosis depends on the timeliness of detection of a tick bite, correct setting diagnosis and early initiation of therapy. Illiterate treatment often leads to a chronic phase of Lyme disease, which can be stopped with great difficulty and can result in disability or death of the victim.

Attention. For the treatment of infections of a protozoal nature, drugs are used that exclude further growth and development of protozoa.

Complications after a tick bite

Summarizing all of the above, one can draw a very disappointing conclusion about the consequences of a tick bite. As you can see, infections affect the most important systems organism:

• lungs - with the development of symptoms of pneumonia and pulmonary bleeding;
• liver - there is a disturbance in digestion, problems with stools (diarrhea);
• CNS - with frequent headaches, hallucinations, paresis and paralysis;
• cardiovascular system - arrhythmia appears, blood pressure jumps;
• joints - arthritis and arthralgias are formed.

The consequences of a tick bite can develop in two ways. If the outcome is favorable, the loss of working capacity, weakness and lethargy continue for 2-3 months, then all body functions are normalized.

With an ailment of moderate severity, recovery lasts up to six months or longer. A serious form of the disease requires a rehabilitation period of up to 2-3 years, provided that the disease proceeded without paralysis and paresis.

In case of an unfavorable outcome, there is a persistent and long-term (or permanent) decrease in the quality of life of the person affected by the tick bite. It manifests itself as a violation of motor function. The clinical picture deteriorates significantly under the influence of nervous and physical overwork, pregnancy, regular intake alcohol.

Persistent disorders in the form of epileptic manifestations and spontaneous convulsions lead to the disability of the patient.

Disability as a consequence of a tick bite

As you know, there are 3 groups of disabilities. The degree of damage to the body after a tick bite is determined by a special medical commission:

1. Disability of the III group - mild paresis of the arms and legs, rare epileptic seizures, inability to perform highly qualified work that requires precision and attention.
2. Disability group II - bright paresis of the limbs, partial muscle paresis, severe epilepsy with mental changes, asthenic syndrome, loss of the ability to self-service.
3. Disability of group I - acquired dementia, severe impairment of motor function, persistent and complete epilepsy, widespread muscle paresis, loss of self-control and inability to move independently.

In particularly severe cases, inadequate treatment of infections caused by a tick bite or complete absence therapy may be fatal.

Prevention of tick bites

The main and main measure to prevent diseases transmitted by bloodsuckers is vaccination. The exercise significantly reduces the risk of infection after tick bites. Vaccination is necessary for people living in epidemiologically dangerous areas or people whose work is related to forestry.

Vaccination is the main preventive measure for diseases caused by tick bites

Council. Despite the limited risk group, the vaccine is best done for everyone. After all, it is not known where "lucky" to meet a tick.

Primary vaccination is permitted with early age... Adults can use domestic and imported drugs, children can use only imported ones. You should not buy the vaccine yourself and bring it to the vaccination room. They won't drive her anyway. The drug requires very strict storage rules, adherence to a certain temperature and light regime, which cannot be done at home. Therefore, it makes no sense to purchase an expensive drug and store it in the refrigerator.

There are two options for vaccination:

1. Preventive vaccination. Helps to protect against a tick bite within a year, and after additional vaccination - at least 3 years. Revaccinations are carried out every three years.
2. Emergency vaccination. Allows you to protect yourself from tick bites on short term... For example, such a procedure will be necessary for an urgent trip to regions with high tick-borne activity. It is recommended to take iodantipyrine while in epidemiologically dangerous areas.

The introduction of the vaccine is carried out only after a detailed questioning, visual inspection and temperature measurement. Persons with inflammatory diseases are not vaccinated until complete recovery.

How to protect yourself from a tick bite?

Going to an unfavorable area, you should choose clothes in light colors:

• a shirt or jacket with cuffs and a tight collar, trousers tucked into boots;
• anti-encephalitis suit;
• thick hood with ties to protect the ears and neck from ticks;
• it is advisable to treat clothes with insecticidal agents.

The best way do not "meet" a tick - strictly observe all preventive measures

To scare away ticks, special insecticides based on DEET are produced, but the repellents are not effective enough and require application every 2 hours. They can be treated with open areas of the body and clothing.

Acaricides are more effective. The drugs are used for contact killing of ticks. They can only handle outerwear worn on underwear.

Attention. Often on sale there are acaricides for application to the skin. However, they should be used very carefully. A severe allergic reaction and poisoning are possible.

Tick-borne encephalitis insurance

IN recent times widespread insurance of costs associated with a possible illness of encephalitis after a "meeting" with a tick. Such a measure is often used as an adjunct to vaccination or as an independent measure.

Tick \u200b\u200bbite treatment costs insurance won't hurt anyone

Insurance will help pay for expensive treatment for tick-borne encephalitis and other infections carried by bloodsuckers.

Attention. The article is for reference only. Competent diagnosis and treatment of diseases is possible only under the supervision of a specialist.

The insect can go unnoticed for a long time, but 2-3 hours after the bite, the following signs may appear:

• weakness of the whole body, drowsiness;


• trembling in the body;


• joint aches;


• fear of light.

The strongest manifestation of symptoms can be observed in elderly people, young children, people with allergies, and various chronic diseases.

If you are bitten by a tick, symptoms appear after the first signs:

• high temperature, along with low blood pressure;


• heart palpitations;


• itching and rash on the skin;


• enlarged lymph nodes.

Additionally, the head may hurt, nausea and vomiting appear. In special cases, difficulty breathing, hallucinations may begin.

Bitten by a tick, treatment

Everyone should be able to provide first aid. After extraction, it is better to place the insect in a container and take it to the hospital, where it will be examined. This will let you know if it has been infected. After a tick bite has occurred, a doctor will need to be observed for a month. In case of a sharp rise in temperature or rashes on the body, you should immediately consult a doctor!

Medicines that need to be taken after an insect bite are prescribed only by a doctor! Usually, tetracycline or cephalosporin antibiotics are prescribed, along with anti-allegri drugs.

If you have been bitten by a tick, then it makes sense to take a blood test, but not earlier than after 10 days. In the meantime, you can prevent tick-borne encephalitis. To do this, use immunoglobulin as directed by a doctor.

Since the procedure makes sense only within three days after you have been bitten by an encephalitis tick, be very attentive to your body, especially during outdoor recreation!