From January 1 to May 31, 2985 cases of Lyme disease, a disease transmitted by ticks, were recorded in Poland, according to reports published by the National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene. In the same period last year, there were 4,964 thousand. such cases.
Lyme disease, also called Lyme disease, is caused by the spirochetes of the genus Borrelia. In the first stage, most of the infected develop a painless erythema, in the middle of which you can see a light. The skin lesions are sometimes accompanied by flu-like symptoms, such as fever or low-grade fever, feeling dizzy, tired, headaches, muscle and joint pain. Atrophic dermatitis on the extremities is mentioned among the late symptoms of Lyme disease in adults. The changes are accompanied by arthritis and neurological changes.
In order to diagnose Lyme disease, it is necessary to identify the characteristic symptoms and confirm laboratory tests. The disease is treated with antibiotics.
The best method of preventing tick-borne diseases is to avoid contact with these arachnids. Ticks live mainly in deciduous and mixed forests, in grassy areas, in dense thickets, ferns, as well as in city parks and on the outskirts of housing estates surrounded by green areas. They are attracted by the white color, heat, air movement and the smell of butyric acid present in sweat.
Doctors advise you to put on tight pants, covered shoes and a hat on your head before going to the forest or park. After returning home, you should carefully check every place on the body, especially those that the parasites like the most – under the armpits, in the knee and elbow bends and behind the ears.
If a tick is penetrated, it should be removed from the body as soon as possible. It must not be greased with grease, gasoline, wrung out or squeezed out. Gently grab the tick with tweezers close to the skin and pull it up. Instead of tweezers, you can use miniature suction pumps or plastic forceps, which you can buy at a pharmacy. After removal, the injection site must be thoroughly disinfected.
Not all ticks are carriers of the Lyme disease bacteria, but during the bite they can also transfer other bacteria and viruses to the blood, causing e.g. tick-borne encephalitis.
In 2019, 20 thousand jobs were recorded in Poland. 614 cases of Lyme disease, and in 2018 – 20 thousand. 150 cases.
Find out more about ticks and Lyme disease:
- Ticks – the most important questions and answers
- Ticks are also on the prowl in the big city
- We debunk five popular myths about ticks
- The most effective remedy for ticks has been found. Research proves it is reliable
- Bacteria hid somewhere in my body ». What is imaginary Lyme disease?
Have a question about ticks or tick-borne diseases? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Ticks and Lyme disease – frequently asked questions and answers.