People who like to spend time in nature or own a pet that walks around outdoors a lot can get a tick bite. Tick bites are painful and can cause serious health problems and long-lasting symptoms.
What is a tick bite?
A tick bite or tick bite can transmit various diseases into the host organism. The best known of these is Lyme disease. A tick bite is carried out by ticks, which are also colloquially known as wood ticks. With the appropriate biting tools, which are extremely hard and resistant, the ticks can penetrate the soft skin and set a bite in the affected regions. Through this bite, the ticks reach small blood-bearing vessels, from which they suck the blood through a special proboscis. Ticks belong to the insect family and are mainly at home in forests and meadows. They resemble spiders and are considered so-called ectoparasites. Not only the blood of humans, but as it were of roaming animals, the ticks can suck in blood through the tick bite and feed on it for a longer period of time. In particular, tiny ticks no larger than the head of a pin apply the tick bite. Large and swollen ticks are already saturated with blood and fall off on their own. Since the ticks are very difficult to recognize and inconspicuous, the tick bites on some rather insensitive, exceedingly warm body parts are not noticed at first.
Causes
The causes of a tick bite are quite varied. However, the tick bite itself comes into question as a causative trigger for many diseases. In addition to Lyme disease and the so-called tick bite fever, allergic reactions as well as painful inflammation of the skin are the consequences of the tick bite. The causative agent of tick bite fever is a bacterium known as Rickettsia rickettsii. In contrast, the invading borrelliosis bacteria, which belong to the class of spirochaetes, cause the typical symptoms. The name spirochaetes is chosen because the bacteria have a helical appearance. These microorganisms, in turn, use the tick as a host and enter the human body through its saliva.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
A tick bite can always be clearly identified when the animal is still on the skin. If this is not the case, one comes only about occurring complaints to the diagnosis. Symptoms can be divided into three stages. Not every tick bite leads to an illness. In studies, infected persons remained symptom-free. The first four weeks after a tick bite are characterized by local infection and flu. There is a permanent redness around the bite. This widens its radius and increasingly fades in the center. Complementary to this, fever sets in after a few days in those affected. Fatigue, joint pain and even intestinal problems are also possible. In this context, physicians speak of Lyme disease flu. However, it does not include a cold or cough. After the first four weeks, the pathogen spreads further and further in the body. It can attack the nervous system, heart and skin. Flu symptoms such as fever and headache appear anew. Sudden and uncontrollable sweating characterizes the daily routine. A good 16 weeks after the infection, the disease becomes chronic. This means that the previously mentioned symptoms occur again and again. Periods without symptoms alternate with periods of flu and other signs. Paralysis and sensory disturbances, palpitations and high blood pressure, and skin nodules set in.
Complications
A tick bite does not necessarily cause serious symptoms. Complications can occur if the tick is infected with Lyme disease and transmits the bacteria to humans. Then various symptoms can occur, such as headache, muscle and joint pain, fever and conjunctivitis. In the absence of treatment, flu-like symptoms may develop after a few months, and the nervous system also eventually becomes diseased. Such neuroborreliosis is associated with meningitis–nerve root inflammation and symptoms such as paralysis and neurological deficits. Furthermore, the heart can be affected and inflammation of the heart muscle and pericardium occurs, accompanied by cardiac arrhythmias. The most severe complications occur with a tick bite in Lyme disease stage III.In this stage, after months to years, chronic joint inflammations, skin changes and permanent nerve damage up to paralysis occur. As a result, Lyme disease is almost always fatal or at least causes severe damage to health, which requires lifelong treatment. Apart from the typical side effects and interactions, the therapy itself does not involve any major risks. However, venous administration of the drugs can lead to infection and, rarely, injury or the development of blood clots.
When should you see a doctor?
In a large number of cases, self-help measures are quite sufficient for a tick bite. A visit to the doctor is therefore not always necessary. The affected person should inform himself sufficiently about how a tick can be completely removed from the organism. If all instructions are strictly followed, complete freedom from symptoms can be expected after a few days. If the removal of the tick is not completely successful for various reasons, the support and help of a doctor should be sought. It is worrying if the head of the tick is still in the wound. In these cases, complete removal of the insect by a physician must be initiated. If various health irregularities occur after a tick bite, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. If there are irregularities in wound healing, internal weakness, fever, or other diffuse health complaints, a doctor should be consulted. If the general well-being deteriorates to a considerable degree within a short period of time, an emergency medical service should be alerted. In case of disturbances of the heart rhythm, fatigue as well as abnormalities of the muscular system, action is required. If symptoms of paralysis occur, a doctor must be consulted immediately. Headaches, sensory disturbances or abnormalities in memory should be examined and treated as soon as possible. If neurological deficits are noticed, intensive medical care of the affected person is necessary.
Treatment and therapy
Several types of treatment are relevant for Lyme disease, which can occur after a tick bite. In addition to extensive diagnostics, targeted oral treatment with antibiotic medications, which can be administered right at the early stage and over a longer period of time, is particularly recommended. If the Lyme disease is only detected in the late stage, special antibiotics such as Ceftriaxon, as well as the substance Hydrochloriquin are also available as therapy. Since Lyme disease is difficult to treat due to its progression, it is considered doubtful whether the disease occurring after a tick bite in the 3rd stage is treatable. In addition to anti-inflammatory and painkilling drugs, other symptomatic agents are prescribed.
Prevention
A tick bite can certainly be prevented. In addition to the effective use of sprays and creams against the ticks, the most important protective measures include clothing that is as light-colored as possible and closed cuffs and waistbands. In addition, it is advisable to check each other for the presence of ticks after a stay in the open air. Especially in skin folds, in the backs of the knees, armpits and other soft skin areas, a tick bite is to be feared if no protection has taken place. Staying in areas heavily infested with ticks (mainly meadows) can also be avoided during the high season. Strongly scented essential oils, such as lavender, rosemary or tea tree oil, as well as closed and sturdy footwear also help against tick bites.
Aftercare
After spending time in the great outdoors, it is advisable, especially in areas with a high incidence of ticks, to scan the body at home afterwards. In the event of a tick bite, the family doctor should be consulted if possible. He can remove the insect professionally and thus minimize the risk of disease transmission. Even if the tick has already fallen off, a doctor can carefully remove the animal’s debris and clean and disinfect the wound. The wound should be taped with a band-aid, and regular cooling will promote healing. Scratching the wound should be avoided if possible. If unusual redness or excessive itching occurs, a doctor should be consulted. Even if a tick bite has usually healed after one to two weeks, the area should continue to be observed.Consequential diseases can also develop only after months or even years. Therefore, it is important for the affected person to recognize possible signs of an infection with Lyme disease in time. Physical complaints such as persistent headaches and aching limbs should therefore be clarified by a doctor. Even though a single tick bite is usually unproblematic, preventive measures such as sturdy, closed shoes and strongly scented essential oils of lavender or rosemary can prevent the associated health risk.
Here’s what you can do yourself
When a tick bite is noticed, the family doctor should be consulted. The pest should be removed professionally to minimize the risk of disease transmission. If the tick has already fallen off, a visit to the doctor is also indicated. Residue from the animal must be removed. The wound must be disinfected and cooled. After a tick bite, it is important to observe the bite site. Redness, itching and other unusual phenomena must be reported to the doctor. Avoid scratching the wound. In addition, the bite site should be covered with a plaster and cooled regularly to promote the healing process. The bite should be completely healed after one to two weeks at the latest. The affected area must continue to be observed, as secondary diseases can still occur months or years later. In addition to external signs, diseases such as Lyme disease are also noticeable through physical complaints such as limb pain or headaches. A single tick bite is usually unproblematic. Nevertheless, every bite must be examined by a doctor and the risk of a bite must be minimized. In the event of a bite, medical attention and checking the body for further tick bites is important. Preventive measures will prevent a tick bite and the associated health risk.
