30 answers to the most pressing questions about ticks

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Experts debunk popular myths and tell the whole truth about blood-sucking parasites.

1. Should you be afraid of any ticks?

No, it all depends on the species. Some of these arachnids are interested in decaying organic matter, while others are interested in plants.

People should be afraid of ixodid, argasid and gamasid ticks. They are the ones who drink blood and carry diseases.

The length of ixodid ticks is 3-4 mm. You can meet them wherever there is grass, bushes, trees. Photo:

Argas mites 3–30 mm long. They live in holes, crevices, caves, nests, grottoes. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Gamasid mites are small - from 0.2 to 2.5 mm. They live in soil, animal burrows, nests, forest floor, in pastures. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The easiest way to encounter ixodic, or encephalitic, ticks. They will be discussed.

2. Can dog ticks harm humans?

The dog tick (Ixodes ricinus) belongs to the ixodid ticks, and they are dangerous to any warm-blooded mammals. Including for people. Therefore, yes, a bloodsucker brought by a dog can cling to a person.

3. What diseases can you earn?

Ticks are carriers of many diseases. With his saliva, the bloodsucker can convey to you:

• Bacterial infections. These include tick-borne borreliosis (Lyme disease), recurrent fever, tularemia, and babesiosis.
• Rickettsial infections. These are spotted fevers, q fever, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis.
• Viral diseases. Tick-borne encephalitis, Colorado tick fever, hemorrhagic fever Crimea - Congo.

4. Can ticks carry hepatitis and HIV?

No, fortunately, ticks do not spread such diseases.

5. Can all this be infected anywhere?

In Russia, and even then not everywhere, tick-borne encephalitis and borreliosis are most common.

Olga Polyakova general practitioner, senior medical consultant "Teledoktor24"

There are prosperous and disadvantaged areas. Dysfunctional ones in another way are called endemic foci, there is a high probability of contracting infections transmitted by the bite of the parasite. In the well-off, on the contrary, the risk of infection is small. For example, Moscow is a prosperous area. And the closest dangerous zones to it are the Yaroslavl and Tver regions.

Information on your area can be viewed on the Rospotrebnadzor website.

6. What are the risks of borreliosis and encephalitis?

These diseases are dangerous for their complications. Borreliosis may cause problems with joints, cardiovascular system, neurological disorders, hepatitis, eye inflammation, severe fatigue. Tick-borne encephalitis affects the nervous system.

At first, both diseases manifest themselves with fever, headache and muscle pain. With borreliosis, a specific symptom may appear - a red speck surrounded by white and red rims.

There are no vaccinations against borreliosis, but there is one against encephalitis, so it is quite possible to protect yourself from infection.

7. If the tick just crawled over the body, can I get infected?

If the skin is not damaged, it is impossible to get infected. But if there is a fresh wound or crack, then the parasite can still bring an infection there.

8. Can a tick bite me through my clothes and tights?

No, the tick will not bite through clothes.

Georgy Budarkevich instructor of the training center "ProPomoshch", certified rescuer, organizer and judge of the first aid competition

He will crawl over the body in search of a bare spot. Therefore, it is so important that when walking in nature, clothes cover all parts of the body.

9. Can a tick bite and crawl away without sucking?

According to Georgy Budarkevich, the tick bites for a reason. He bites into the body to drink blood. And until it is satisfied, it will not fall off. Usually it takes him several days, but in rare cases, the meal can last up to two weeks.

ten. Can ixodid ticks get under the skin?

Perhaps this happens in horror films, but in real life it does not. Ticks do not get under the skin, do not be afraid.

11. How to remove a tick?

It would be nice to immediately go to the hospital so that the doctor pulled out the parasite and treated the bite. If this is not possible, you will have to remove the bloodsucker yourself. This can be done with a twist twist, fine-tipped tweezers, or even a regular thread.

12. What if the head of the tick comes off?

You will need to pull it out with a disinfected needle, and then immediately consult a doctor, because the wound may become inflamed.

Tatyana Loshkareva Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, infectious disease doctor of the highest qualification category "Medintsentra"

Due to the head remaining in the wound, the infection process may continue. The salivary glands and ducts of the parasite contain the virus of tick-borne encephalitis or borreliosis, if the tick is infected.

13. Are all ticks contagious?

No. After removing the bloodsucker, it must be taken for analysis: the laboratory will find out whether it is contagious or not. True, only if the parasite is alive.

If there are no pathogens in the tick, just keep the wound clean, rinse and treat with alcohol so that it heals faster.

If an infection is found in the saliva of the parasite, consult an infectious disease doctor.

14. Where to carry the tick for analysis?

Any hospital with an infectious disease doctor. You can also contact the medical center for the study of the epidemiological situation in the region. You can see the nearest laboratories on the Encephalitis.ru website.

For example, in Moscow, you can donate a tick for analysis to the Federal Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology. In St. Petersburg - to the laboratory of the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology.

15. Is it required?

It is desirable. If the tick is infectious, you can quickly begin treatment.

If it is impossible to make an analysis, monitor your well-being and if you feel unwell, go to the doctor.

16. If the tick falls off, will I be able to understand that it bit me?

It will be hard. The bite site will turn into a red bump: mosquitoes leave exactly the same ones. True, you will not itch.

So just in case, monitor your condition.

17. Is it true that ticks should be feared only in May and June, and then they are full and do not bite?

No, this is a myth. A bloodsucker can bite and transmit infection at any time in its life, even in cold weather, when the parasite is less active than usual.

Olga Polyakova general practitioner

In winter, ticks hide from the cold underground. They creep out when the air warms up to 8 ° C. That is, parasites are active from about March to November.

18. When is a bite most dangerous?

It does not depend on the season or other conditions. If the tick is infected, then the bite is always dangerous.

19. Where can you bump into a tick?

Ixodids are mainly found in forests, fields, parks and gardens. But you can pick up the parasite in the grass near the house. According to Georgy Budarkevich, the probability is small, but still there. Sometimes animals bring parasites into the yard.

20. Can ticks fly or fall from trees?

No, ticks don't fly, they don't have wings. And do not fall from the trees. Scientists have been talking about this for a long time.

21. Is it true that ticks mostly sit along paths?

Not really. Ticks can be anywhere. But they prefer warm and humid places, often crawl in bushes and grass, love the edges of paths and undergrowth.

22. Can a tick live in my house?

The parasite can get into the apartment if you bring it on your clothes or if it falls from your pet.

But the bloodsucker will not last long, he needs moisture and soil. In the apartment, he will quickly die.

Georgy Budarkevich certified lifeguard

23. Is it possible to somehow protect yourself from ticks?

Yes, you can. Wear thick, long-sleeved clothing when going for a hike or a walk in the woods.

Treat clothes, shoes and equipment with a 0.5% permethrin solution. You can buy it at the pharmacy. If the solution itself is not found, ask for a head lice spray containing permethrin.

On the body, apply a repellent with picardine, diethyltoluamide or lemon eucalyptus oil. Just read the instructions carefully.

24. Will home remedies help?

Experts believe that home remedies are best not used, they are unlikely to help.

25. If you spray with a repellent or permethrin, will the tick surely not bite?

The effectiveness of repellents and permethrin depends on the type of mite, air temperature, perspiration, and even physical activity. Therefore, it cannot be said that they will 100% protect you from parasites.

26. What do ixodid ticks eat until they get on a person?

With animal blood. A parasite needs a host to live. Depending on the stage of development of the tick, rodents, birds, larger animals such as hares, deer, domestic dogs and cats can be its breadwinner.

In winter, most ticks do without food; at subzero temperatures, they are inactive.

27. Are mites dangerous for animals?

Highly. Ticks carry and spread ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, borreliosis, piroplasmosis. Dogs often die from the latter. Therefore, parasites from animals must also be removed. If after the bite the pet does not feel well - does not eat, looks lethargic and tired, take him to the veterinarian.

28. Does a tick die after being bitten?

No, the bloodsucker does not die after being bitten. This is another myth.

29. How long does a tick live?

Always differently, depending on how often the parasite feeds. But usually about 3 years.

30. Can a female mite lay eggs on the skin?

This is hardly possible. The female lays eggs under the bark of trees.