Home remedies for tick bite – uses and health benefits

Home remedies for tick bites

Tick ​​bites are caused by ticks that see human blood as their food and need it in addition to animal blood to survive. The bite itself is not painful or dangerous, but tick saliva can transmit serious diseases. There are several insect repellents that help, but some insects seem resistant to even that.

What is a tick bite?

Ticks are blood-sucking ectoparasites that belong to the mite family and are mainly active between spring and autumn. In Germany, the common wood tick (Ixodes ricinus) is the most widespread tick species.

The insects live in tall grass and on low bushes and shrubs. There they meet their preferred hosts, including rodents, deer and birds. Ticks also infest pets such as dogs and cats and humans. In humans, the arachnids usually crawl along the body unnoticed until they find a soft spot to bite on.

Preferred areas are the hollows of the knees and the stomach. Although most people speak of tick bites, it is actually a sting. Insects’ mouthparts consist of a stinging and sucking apparatus. The host’s skin is first cut open with the scissor-like tools. The tick then inserts its proboscis into the cut , injuring small vessels. The escaping blood collects in the wound and is then sucked up by the parasite . The affected person usually does not notice anything at first. Only after several hours does the puncture site sometimes begin to redden and itch. Most of the time, however, the process goes unnoticed.

Who is affected?

Tick ​​bites are harmless in and of themselves, but the animals can transmit two dangerous diseases, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and Lyme disease. TBE is a viral infection that, if it is mild, is accompanied by symptoms that are typical of summer flu . However, the infection can also affect the central nervous system and cause meningitis. Even long-term damage to those affected cannot be ruled out. There is a vaccination against TBE.

Causes

Lyme disease, on the other hand, is a bacterial infection that is associated with very unspecific symptoms. The only characteristic is the so-called reddening, which usually appears around the puncture site some time after infection. Afterwards, the patient often develops flu-like symptoms. In severe cases, paralysis can also occur. In addition, the infection can be accompanied by a number of other serious complications. Even years after the onset of the disease, serious irreversible sensory and movement disorders can still set in. There is no vaccination against Lyme disease.

Ticks are found everywhere in Germany and also live in front gardens or in city parks. However, the tick population is not infected to the same extent with TBE or Lyme disease pathogens everywhere. The risk areas are almost exclusively in southern Germany, especially in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, increased caution is required.

What helps against tick bites?

  • To avoid a tick bite, it makes sense to wear long-sleeved tops and long pants when walking through the green.
  • Ticks falling from trees is a myth! They are mainly found in bushes and tall grasses at a maximum height of 1.50 meters. Ticks can transmit 2 different diseases: Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) . You can get vaccinated against meningitis , but unfortunately not yet against Lyme disease. For this reason, it is helpful to have family or friends check you for ticks after each encounter with a bush or grass. The children in particular should be looked at once. You can also do this yourself, it’s like a game for you.
  • As soon as a circular red circle appears around the puncture site of the tick bite , a doctor should be consulted as this can be a sign of Lyme disease. The sooner the doctor is visited, the better Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics at the beginning . The more advanced the disease, the more difficult it is to treat.
  • If you live in a region where the transmission of TBE is likely, you should think about a possible vaccination with your doctor.

Quick help

  • When it comes to removing the tick after the tick bite, there is a lot of popular misinformation. When crushed with a glowing cigarette, the tick is only pushed deeper into the skin. Nail polish remover or oil does not help either, as this allows the tick to salivate more. If a tick has become attached, it must be carefully pulled out with tweezers directly on the skin. The head must never get stuck.
  • If there are no tweezers at hand, a simple thread against ticks can help. Simply form the thread into a loop and then place it over the tick. Finally, pull out the tick with the thread. It is essential to ensure that the insect’s proboscis is pulled out with it.
  • After removing the tick, it is helpful to clean the affected area with an antiseptic .

Alternative remedies

  • An alternative remedy for tick bites is fresh plantain. The leaves of this plant are crushed and placed on the itchy areas. You can also buy fresh plantain juice in health food stores. This juice relieves the itching .
  • Another home remedy for ticks is onions. Simply cut up an onion and place it on the affected area of ​​skin. Poultices with vinegar or acidic clay also help against tick bites.
  • Preventive home remedies for ticks include garlic and tea tree oil . If you are aware beforehand that you are going to places where there are a lot of ticks, rubbing tea tree oil or garlic on the skin can help. It even helps if you eat a lot of garlic a few hours beforehand.

See Tick bite for more information . The most dangerous diseases that develop after a tick bite are meningitis (TBE – early summer meningo encephalitis) and Lyme disease. For this reason, a doctor should be consulted immediately if the tick bite becomes very large and hard and if flu-like symptoms occur about 3 weeks after a tick bite.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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