Borrelia are not transmitted into the human body until about 12 hours after the bite. Therefore, it is important to remove a tick as soon as only possible!
Tips for removing ticks: Follow these steps when and after removing the tick:
If tick infestation occurs, immediately grasp tick with tick forceps or tweezers at the head area just above the skin and slowly pull out slowly without twisting, but do not jerk the animal out. Hold it in place for a minute while pulling gently. Usually the tick will then let go on its own. Then disinfect the wound with disinfectant or alcohol if part of the tick could not be removed. However, this does not protect against Lyme disease, but only against inflammation by the foreign body.Note: Image series for the removal of a tick (Source. Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety).
Observe the bite site (inflammation, erythema migrans / migratory redness) in the following days. Erythema migrans can form days to about 10 weeks after the tick bite around the bite site.
Typically, a so-called “Lyme diseaseflu” occurs within 10-14 days after the occurred Borrelia infection (see “Symptoms – Complaints” under accompanying symptoms).
On the occurrence of fever:
Bed rest and physical rest (even if fever is only mild; if limb pain and lassitude occur without fever, bed rest and physical rest is also required, because myocarditis/heartmuscle inflammation could occur as a result of the infection).
Fever below 38.5 °C does not necessarily need to be treated! (Exceptions: Children prone to febrile convulsions; elderly, debilitated people; patients with a weakened immune system).
In case of fever from 39 ° C calf compresses can help to reduce the temperature, which often leads to an improvement in the condition.
After the fever still a fever-free day of rest, if necessary longer (mainly bed rest and stay indoors).
Adherence to the following specific nutritional recommendations during illness:
Sufficient fluid intake! Since during the course of a febrile illness there is a strong loss of fluids, fluid intake in adults with kidney and hearthealth should be according to the following rule of thumb: for each degree of body temperature above 37 °C, an additional 0.5-1 liters per °C. Teas are best suited.
In febrile illnesses, a light full diet is recommended. Within the framework of this diet, the following foods and preparation methods should be avoided, as experience has shown that they often cause discomfort:
Voluminous and fatty meals
Legumes and vegetables such as white cabbage, kale, peppers, sauerkraut, leeks, onions, savoy cabbage, mushrooms.
Raw stone and pome fruit
Fresh bread, wholemeal bread
Hard boiled eggs
Carbonated drinks
Fried, breaded, smoked, very spicy or very sweet foods.
Too cold or too hot food
Diet rich in:
Vitamins (Vitamin C) – Due to the fever, there may be a deficiency of vitamin C. In addition, vitamin C is important for the immune system. Foods rich in vitamin C are vegetables such as spinach and fruits (oranges, strawberries, kiwis, currants), which are also well tolerated during an infection.
