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According to the director of the Center for Communicable Diseases and AIDS, prof. Saulius Čaplinskas, recently there have been no tick-free zones in Lithuania. Of these, 2 to 15-20 percent are infected and can infect us with tick-borne encephalitis or Lyme disease, respectively.
“While not all ticks are dangerous, every tick infestation should be a concern. We would feel much calmer if we could avoid them. After all, you may be carrying several ticks at the same time and not all of them are infected, and otherwise one mite may be enough to infect you with a dangerous disease. And no one knows what kind of tick will fall on us. In the case of Lyme disease, the sooner we remove the tick, the less likely it is to become infected. In the case of tick-borne encephalitis, the tick will infect us immediately, “said the doctor.
How to prepare to go to nature
When going to nature, you should dress in light clothing as they have a better view of the crawling mite. While this is difficult to implement in the summer, you should wear long sleeves and long pants. The cuffs should fit snugly around the wrist, and the bottom of the pant pants should fit snugly against the body. If clothing does not fit properly, pants can be inserted into socks, shoes, or tied with string.
After all, mites first settle on clothing and then crawl to find a suitable place to soak up the skin. The cuffs must be fastened or pressed with a rubber band or rope, the collar must be fastened. It is advisable to tie a scarf or hat that fits you well.
The clothes you were in the forest should not be hung in the same room you are in and not next to other clothes. Ideally, somewhere on the balcony, terrace, or on a coil in the bathroom, where the mite will not survive due to the very dry and hot environment.
By the way, before undressing, try running your legs, arms, and entire body multiple times with a lint catcher; the tick is likely to adhere to it.
Re-visiting nature is a preventive measure for Lyme disease, as the mite transmits this pathogen if it remains absorbed for a day or more.
VIDEO: How to protect yourself against tick-borne encephalitis?
Natural tick repellents
Although there are a large number of tick repellents, they are not suitable for children under the age of two and people allergic to the substances they contain. In this case, you can try natural remedies, just remember that they must be used much more frequently than repellents, because natural substances have a very short duration of action. The most commonly mentioned substances are tea tree oil, citrus, vinegar, and garlic.
To make a natural vinegar repellent that can be sprayed boldly on the skin, simply mix the vinegar in equal parts with water. The only downside is the pungent smell of vinegar coming from you. To make the smell more pleasant, you can add a little essential oil to this mixture.
If you only have garlic on hand, clean the open areas of your body with it.
You can also apply a few drops of tea tree oil or apply it to the body in different places: mix 10 drops of tea tree essential oil with 50 ml of water. This spray can be applied not only on the exposed parts of the body, but also on clothing.
However, experts emphasize that the operation of natural remedies is questionable.
You can also use citrus essential oils, drizzle them, or make a citrus fruit decoction – cook two citrus fruits for an hour, preferably lemon, because they smell the hottest, then strain the decoction and use it.
What to look for when choosing repellents
However, experts emphasize that the operation of natural remedies is questionable. “What scares the mite will be effective. What works for a psychotherapy person is clearly not going to help. If research has been done to show that certain natural substances actually repel ticks, they can be tested. However, I would suggest not to be fooled, “replied S. Chaplinks, asking if this really works by natural means.
Mites are much better repellents than industrial repellents, but when buying them you should carefully read the manufacturer’s recommendations on how to spray the product – on skin or clothing, how long it works, or if children can use it. Also note if it is really designed to protect against ticks. The mat contains repellents that protect only from mosquitoes.
For truly effective protection against ticks, check to see if the product contains a chemical labeled DEET. This substance is said to be the only truly effective protection against ticks. Protects against mosquitoes and ticks, but mosquitoes also need a lower percentage of active substance, ticks must be at least around 40%.
Repellents should not be sprayed on areas of the body where there is skin damage (cuts, wounds, irritated skin) and do not spray directly on the face: apply with the palms of your hands. Wash the repellent when you return home.
Photo by Romas Jurgaitis (Lietuvos žinios) / Saulius Čaplinskas
Why get vaccinated?
Lithuania is classified as an endemic area for tick-borne encephalitis. We are one of the countries with the highest incidence of tick-borne encephalitis in Europe. Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent this disease.
After two vaccines, with an interval of 1 to 3 months between vaccines, immunity develops for one year. One year after another dose of the vaccine, resistance to the disease extends for another three years. Therefore, three injections provide protection against tick-borne encephalitis for three years. Vaccination must be repeated later. If necessary, accelerated vaccination schedules are also possible, with a second vaccination two weeks after the first. The effectiveness of the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine is up to 98 percent.
“Some people deny the risk of infection until they face it or see a loved one. One-third of people after tick-borne encephalitis remain permanent, and some of them cause disability: the ability to focus, study, work, suffer constant headaches and some people remain paralyzed. This is why we have been strongly encouraging people to get vaccinated for many years, and we can be glad that the number of people who have been vaccinated recently increased considerably People were vaccinated even during quarantine.
Clearly, we are aware that not all families, especially if they have multiple children, can afford to be vaccinated. Therefore, it would be very good for all of us to seek opportunities for the state to reimburse at least part of the price, as is the case in Latvia. Experience from other countries, such as Austria, has shown that the introduction of these vaccines into the planned vaccination schedule has significantly reduced the incidence of tick-borne encephalitis and the disability of this disease, “said S. Čaplinskas.
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