Those who intend to rest in the middle of nature these days are warned about the dangers posed by ticks. In spring the ticks become more active and in April-July they increase in number, and then decrease in number in August-September. According to specialists of the National Public Health Center, the ticks are widely spread and can be met both in rural areas and in urban ones.

Contacted by IPN, head of the Center’s Transmitted Diseases Surveillance Division Natalia Caterinciuc said ticks typically live in scrubby and woody areas, parks and recreational areas, near ponds with abundant vegetation. They leap to warm blooded mammals to feed on their blood. Most tick bites happen while people are camping, hiking, working in the woods or in the yard. Like many other bloodsucking parasites, ticks can spread diseases between their victims, and some of these diseases can be very serious such as Lyme disease, encephalitis, anaplasmosis, tularemia etc.

Tick bites are usually harmless and may produce no symptoms. However, some may experience pain or swelling at the bite site, a rash, burning sensation, blisters, or even difficulty breathing. A doctor should be immediately seen in such a case.

Tick bites can be prevented by utilizing topical sprays which repel ticks, and by wearing thick, heavy garments which fully cover the body, making it hard for ticks to latch on. Clothing and hair should be thoroughly shaken and brushed out after trips into the woods to remove ticks, and animals should also be regularly checked for signs of tick bites.

Ticks prefer warm, damp, and thin parts of the skin, like the back of the knee or the inside of the thigh, on the groin, throat, neck, or in the armpits. Ticks are often found in children’s hair. Initially, a tick bite typically causes irritation and inflammation which can lead to itching. Some people experience tick allergies.

The proper way to remove a tick is to use a set of fine tweezers and grip the tick as close to the skin as is possible. It is not recommended using nail polish, petroleum jelly, liquid soap, or kerosene because they may irritate the tick and cause it to behave like a syringe, injecting bodily fluids into the wound. After removing the tick, the skin and hands must be thoroughly washed with soap and water, while the bite should be treated with iodine or ethyl alcohol. The removed tick must be destroyed.