Holiday SOS: how to safely remove a tick?

Ticks are arachnids that lie in wait for our health especially during spring and summer, when we also have a greater desire for physical activity in the fresh air. Ticks “stick” into the human body very easily, because the skin is delicate and not covered with anything, except for clothes, which we do not wear much during the summer anyway. Ticks are very dangerous for us, you should immediately remove them from the body. They can cause Lyme disease or tick-borne encephalitis.

Where do ticks hide?

Contrary to popular opinion, ticks do not wait for their “prey” on trees and tree branches. The highest they are about one meter, because it would be biologically and evolutionarily pointless for them to be higher. All animals on which ticks prey most often in forests are not as tall as humans. So if we “catch” a tick, it will probably hook on our legs or legs – so it’s worth wearing long pants for walks in the forest or park. Skin protection is very important.

Why can’t we feel when a tick bites?

Because at the same time it anesthetizes us by introducing a special substance into our body that endures the feeling of pain. That is why it is so important to check your body for ticks after any outdoor activity, especially in parks, forests or fields. Most often they stick in the groin, under the knees, on the neck, under the armpits or in the bends of the elbows or even near the intimate areas.

How to remove a tick?

• First of all, you can always go to a doctor or clinic, where the tick will be removed by someone with appropriate experience
• You can also remove the tick yourself at home, but you should do it in such a way that no part of it remains in the body

How to remove a tick at home:

1. The tick can be removed with tweezers or by grabbing it with your fingers
2. We do it with one quick, decisive “up” movement
3. Do not remove the tick by twisting it or doing it very slowly
4. Also, do not use any “home remedies”, e.g. lubricating the bite site and the tick with butter, alcohol or other specifics. It can only make you sick! Most often, infection with Lyme disease occurs through the tick’s vomit, which is caused by its contact with various substances!
5. The place after removing the tick should be properly disinfected. This place should also be carefully observed, if there are any strong redness or blisters, or if we start to get sick for no reason (e.g. a fever), then a visit to the doctor will be required!