1. remove the tick as soon as possible
- Use fine tweezers or a special tick card. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it out slowly and straight.
- Please avoid twisting or squeezing the tickotherwise pathogens could enter the wound.
- The puncture site should then be thoroughly disinfected
- If the tick head or parts of the holding apparatus (legs) remain in the skinThis is generally harmless. The body rejects this foreign body on its own.
2. observe the puncture site
- Please observe the site of the tick bite carefully over the following days and weeks.
- Pay particular attention to:
- an increasing Rednessespecially ring-shaped (so-called Wandering blush)
- Swelling, pain or itching
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache or aching limbs
3. when you should seek medical advice
Please contact your pediatrician's office if:
- The puncture site becomes infected
- a ring-shaped reddening forms
- Your child feels generally unwell, complains of a headache or has a fever
ℹ️ Important information on Lyme disease and TBE
Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis):
- Transmitted by bacteria (borrelia) found in some ticks.
- A typical first sign is the Wandering blush - a ring-shaped reddening around the puncture site, often only after a few days.
- Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics.
TBE (tick-borne encephalitis):
- Transmitted by a virus that is particularly common in certain regions (TBE risk areas).
- The disease can begin like the flu and in rare cases can lead to meningitis.
- It is not possible to treat the virus itself with medication - only the symptoms can be alleviated.
- A Vaccination against TBE is possible and is recommended in risk areas. (three vaccinations)
