And how to avoid contact with ticks.
In April, not only does the long-awaited warmth arrive, but the tick activity season also begins, lasting until the end of October. Their numbers peak in May and June. Here’s what you need to know about the dangers of these parasites, what to do if you find a tick on your body, and how to protect yourself while enjoying the outdoors.
Why Ticks Are Dangerous
Ticks are arthropods belonging to the arachnid class (like scorpions and spiders, for example). Their size usually does not exceed 3–4 millimeters. There are over 50,000 species of these creatures worldwide. The most dangerous are ixodid ticks—parasites that feed on the blood of humans and animals. Their bite itself is harmless and often goes unnoticed, but some ticks can carry pathogens of various diseases, such as tick-borne encephalitis or borreliosis (Lyme disease). Additionally, people often experience an allergic reaction to the bite—a small swelling and/or itching.
Borreliosis is treatable, but if the infection is not detected early, it can become chronic and lead to complications: damage to the nervous system (even paralysis), muscle and headaches, cognitive decline, cardiovascular disorders, and more. Worse, the effects of borreliosis can develop years after the bite.
Despite their size, ticks are excellent at detecting prey from several meters away. This is thanks to sensitive sensory mechanisms on their front legs that detect body odor and temperature. Once the parasite comes into contact with clothing, it quickly attaches itself and begins searching for a suitable spot to bite. These areas include:
- Armpits;
- Groin;
- Head;
- Back of the knees;
- Navel;
- Waist area;
- Inside and around the ears.
How to Tell If You’ve Been Bitten by a Tick
After biting, the tick latches onto your skin, feeds on blood, and swells several times in size. The longer it stays on the body, the easier it is to spot. The parasite can remain attached for up to ten days.
The risk of contracting tick-borne encephalitis or borreliosis depends directly on the duration of contact with the parasite: the longer the time since the bite, the higher the chance of infection. Therefore, it’s crucial to detect and remove the tick as quickly as possible.
How to Remove a Tick
If you find a tick on your body after spending time outdoors, don’t panic. You need to remove it—either at a local clinic or by yourself. Here’s how:
- Wash and disinfect your hands. If you have gloves, wear them.
- Using tweezers or a specialized tool, firmly grasp the tick’s head as close to the skin as possible. Avoid squeezing its body to prevent infected fluids from entering the wound.
- Pull upward and slightly sideways with steady (not jerky) pressure. The tick’s long mouthpart has barbs, making removal tricky. Do not twist or wiggle it—this may cause it to break apart, leaving parts embedded in the skin.
- Wash your hands and the bite area with soap and water, then disinfect with alcohol or antiseptic.
- Submerge the removed tick in alcohol or saline solution, or place it on a damp cotton pad before sealing it in a plastic bag or jar. You’ll need it if you visit a doctor—more on this below.
If you’re unsure, let a professional handle it—improper removal can worsen the situation. Avoid folk remedies like oil, alcohol, gasoline, or hairspray: these suffocate the tick, causing it to release more saliva and increasing infection risk.
What to Do After Removing a Tick
The Ministry of Health advises that after removal, the tick can be sent for analysis if the hospital has the necessary reagents. Results take 2–3 days.
However, modern evidence-based medicine does not require lab testing of ticks. Even if infected, transmission isn’t guaranteed. Testing may cause unnecessary stress and treatment. A “clean” result also isn’t foolproof—false negatives occur, so monitor your health closely.
For the next month, watch the bite site and consult a doctor if any suspicious symptoms appear, such as:
- Rash;
- Fever (38 °C or higher);
- Chills;
- Headache;
- Muscle or joint pain;
- Swollen lymph nodes;
- Neck stiffness;
- Fatigue or weakness;
- Nausea.
If bitten in an area endemic to encephalitis or Lyme disease, seek medical attention immediately—don’t wait for symptoms. Check local risk maps.
Treatment should be based on symptoms, tick exposure history, and sometimes blood tests. Most infections are treatable with short antibiotic courses, but encephalitis and Lyme disease are more complex. Early intervention improves recovery chances.
Unfortunately, no effective cure exists for tick-borne encephalitis. In Ukraine, immunoglobulin injections are used, but their efficacy and safety lack robust evidence. Many European countries have abandoned this method due to concerns about antibody-dependent infection enhancement.
Vaccination is recommended for encephalitis. No Lyme vaccine exists yet. Ideally, start immunization before tick season (e.g., in autumn), though accelerated schedules are available.
How to Protect Yourself from Ticks
Vaccination helps, but here are additional tips for outdoor trips:
- Wear long sleeves and pants in wooded or grassy areas. Tuck pants into socks and wear wide-brimmed hats.
- Stay on marked trails and avoid bushes in parks.
- Use tick repellent with ≥20% DEET (a compound that repels insects and arachnids).
- Shower within two hours of returning home.
- Inspect your skin thoroughly, especially underarms, behind ears, groin, knees, and scalp.
- Wash or tumble-dry outdoor clothing and gear on high heat.
- Check pets for ticks after walks.
