When do I have to go to the doctor?

With a tick bite you do not necessarily have to see a doctor. However, if it is not possible to pull the tick out completely, the remains (often the head remains stuck in the skin or there are still parts of the biting tool in the skin) should be removed by a doctor. Even if signs of inflammation appear at the bite site (redness, swelling, overheating, pain, functional impairment of neighboring joints), you must see a doctor.

In general, fever, if it is related to the tick bite, is a sign that a doctor should be consulted. A transmission of pathogens is often the reason for the symptoms. In particular, if a circular wandering redness or other signs of TBE/Borrelia disease appear (skin symptoms, nerve pain, severe headaches), one should see a doctor.

Treatment

The most important step in the therapy of a tick bite is first of all the careful removal of the tick. With specially developed tweezers or tick cards, even a medical layman can slowly remove the insect. Afterwards the bite site should be observed for a few weeks.

If local symptoms occur, the area can be cooled. If the tick bite is reddened and swollen (possibly also wandering redness), a doctor should be consulted who can determine or rule out an infection with Borrelia bacteria or TBE. The Borrelia infection can be treated causally with an antibiotic (Doxycyclin) This usually leads to a healing of the disease without consequences and without the pathogens being able to spread in the body.

Infection with the TBE virus, on the other hand, can only be treated symptomatically with antipyretic and analgesic drugs. In most cases, the TBE disease heals without consequences, but severe complications with meningitis can also occur. In order to avoid complications as well as a disease with TBE, an early vaccination should be given. The TBE vaccination is recommended in all risk areas (especially southern Germany, wooded areas and meadows) as well as professionally exposed persons (foresters, farmers, etc.). The vaccination should be refreshed every three to five years.