With the first rays of sun, the desire for nature takes over. But under high herbs, a silent danger is watching for: ticks. Between May and July, their bites explode, touching Sunday hikers as experienced gardeners. France Lyme Suns the alarm: in 6 to 20 % of casesa bite can lead to a Lyme longa painful and disabling disease. A threat that requires adopting good reflexes without giving in to panic, as the Dr Gérald Kierzek : “Do not be excessive, but active vigilance, particularly in rural and wooded areas “.
When ticks strike: the red period from spring to summer
From the first beautiful days, ticks are out. According to the program Citic,, May, June and July concentrate the majority of reports in France. The danger is not reserved for large hikes: 90 % Bades occur during banal activities, in familiar spaces, such as urban gardens or parks. Worse still, 37 % bites take place … directly at home or in its garden!
Clearly, vigilance as soon as you set foot outside, without giving in to psychosis.
Simple gestures to avoid a tick sting
Prevention is the best weapons. Before any outing, Bet on covering clothesclear, with pants in the socks and hat screwed on the head. During walks, walk in the middle of the trails and avoid high and brush herbs. When you return, sift through your skin, hair, clothes and even your pets.
In your backpack, always keep:
- A tick pump or a tick card;
- Disinfectant;
- A magnifying glass;
- A pen to surround the bite area;
- Adapted repellent.
In the garden, the maintenance is crucial: mow, clearer, eliminate the wetlands and distance rodents and wooden heaps. As the Dr Kierzek : “The key is prevention: systematic inspection after a walk and simple barriers“.
In case of bite: act quickly and well
If despite everything a tick has been invited, act quickly: remove it using a tickwithout crushing it, turning it gently. Disinfect immediately and note the date, place, as well as the area of the affected body. Take photos to follow the possible evolution of a migrant erythema.
And after? Watch your general condition. A bite is not always synonymous with infectionrecalls the Dr Kierzek : “A bite is not necessarily synonymous with infection, but it requires careful monitoring“.
In doubt – persistent redness, fatigue, pain – consult a doctor without delay.
When the symptoms camouflage: the real challenge of Lyme disease
The danger of tick bites is their discretion. L’Migrant erythemacharacteristic sign, does not appear systematically and can even arise far from the point of bite.
Migrant erythema
Other symptoms can deceive: unexplained fever,, joint pain,, neurological disorders.
Lyme disease evolves slyly if it is not detected: each year, near 10,000 Lyme long cases are identified in France. This is why prolonged surveillance after any bite is essential. At the slightest anomaly, do not hesitate to consult a professional and report your bite to the dedicated application Reporting.