Parasite season: ticks have become active again in Moscow
Ticks have become more active in Moscow — the autumn coolness and humidity create comfortable conditions for them. Experts recommend taking precautions: wear closed clothes, use repellents, and carefully inspect the body after walking. For more information about what to do with a tick bite and how to prevent infection, see the Izvestia article.
Ticks have become active again in Moscow
The ticks, which were inactive during the Moscow summer heat, are now active again. This was reported in the press service of the Moscow Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.
The activation of ticks is associated with cooling and increased humidity, which creates favorable conditions for their vital activity. This "second wave" of activity begins at the end of August and can last until November, until stable frosts occur, which will put the ticks into hibernation.
The ministry called on citizens to observe safety measures in the fall as well as in the spring: wear clothes with long sleeves and tight-fitting cuffs, use hats, tuck pants into shoes and treat clothes with repellents. After walking in nature, it is recommended to carefully check clothes and exposed areas of the body.
Tick Bite Signs: How to Tell if You've been Bitten
A tick bite often goes unnoticed because the parasites release painkillers, so that a person does not feel pain at the moment of piercing the skin. However, after a few hours or even days, a characteristic redness appears at the bite site — a small red spot or swelling, which may be accompanied by itching or a slight burning sensation.
It is not uncommon for the tick to remain attached to the skin and visible to the naked eye, especially upon close examination.
Rules for the safe removal of a tick
Finding a tick is only the first task. It is important to remove it correctly so as not to increase the risk of infection. To remove a tick, it is best to use special tweezers with thin, pointed ends or a tick removal hook that you can buy at a pharmacy.
Grab the tick as close to the surface of the skin as possible and pull it out slowly and smoothly, without sudden movements and turns. In no case should you try to squeeze out the tick, fill it with oil, alcohol, nail polish or other means — this can lead to the tick "tearing" and its parts remaining in the skin.
After removal, the bite site must be thoroughly treated with an antiseptic — iodine, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide will do. If redness, swelling, inflammation, or a wound does not heal for a long time after removing the tick, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Why is it important to monitor your condition after a tick bite?
Ticks can carry pathogens of various diseases, the most common of which are tick—borne encephalitis and borreliosis (Lyme disease. The incubation period of symptoms can vary from several days to several weeks. Therefore, after a bite, you need to carefully monitor your well-being and skin condition.
The main alarm signal is considered to be the appearance of an expanding red ring—shaped spot around the bite site - this is a sign of borreliosis. Sometimes the rash has the shape of a "target" with a central lightened area and a red rim. In addition to skin manifestations, there may be:
— fever and chills;
— headaches and general weakness;
— pain in muscles and joints;
— enlargement of lymph nodes;
— balance disorders, weakness in the extremities, numbness — symptoms that require immediate medical advice.
If tick-borne encephalitis is suspected, which is accompanied by damage to the nervous system, it is important to urgently seek medical help, as the disease requires specialized treatment.
Recommendations for the prevention of tick bites
Prevention of tick bites is the best way to avoid dangerous consequences. It is important to observe safety measures while walking in forests, parks, cottages and other natural areas.
During the examination, special attention should be paid to places with thin skin and hard—to-reach areas - this is the area behind the ears, on the neck, in the groin area, armpits, behind the knees and on the scalp. The tick chooses precisely such areas in order to remain invisible for a long time.
Parents are advised to check their child's body regularly after walking, especially large folds of skin and hair. If the tick has been removed, monitor the child's condition for at least two weeks. If any alarming symptoms appear, you should consult a pediatrician.
General recommendations:
— Wear closed clothes with long sleeves and trousers. It is better to tuck trousers into shoes or high socks, the spaces between clothes and the body should be minimal.;
— Use repellents — special means that repel ticks by applying them to exposed skin and clothing according to the instructions;
— Upon returning from a walk, carefully inspect the skin and clothing. Pay close attention to places with thin skin and a hiding tick.;
— Take a shower and change clothes immediately after your walk. It is advisable to wash clothes at high temperatures — this is harmful to ticks.;
— Do not forget about the treatment of pets — they can bring ticks from the street, and thus infection can occur in the house.
When should I see a doctor?
It is worth seeking medical help if the tick has not been completely removed and its parts remain in the skin. In addition, if there is an expanding redness or rash in the bite area.
Doctors may also need help if the temperature rises after the bite, weakness, headaches, chills appear. Experts also include the occurrence of neurological symptoms such as numbness, difficulty coordinating movements, and weakness in the extremities.
The doctor will be able to prescribe the necessary examination, blood tests and, if necessary, treatment with antibiotics or other drugs.
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