In the forest, in the tall grass and even in the gardens, they are rampant. Ticks are “particularly active in spring and autumn”, warned the National Health Security Agency (ANSES) in a press release on Thursday April 28. The agency recalls thatticks are the main vectors of pathogens responsible for infectious diseases in Europe” and that they transmit in particular “the bacterium that causes Lyme disease” which can cause, if left untreated, “dcutaneous, muscular, neurological and joint damage, sometimes very debilitating”.
So in this season, Albert Afalo, doctor of the French Hiking Federation of Pays de la Loire, reminds you of a few simple gestures to adopt _“The tick usually lands on the tip of a grass_, avoid touching them. If you go for a walk, you must wear very covering and light-colored clothes, because you can see ticks better on light-colored clothes and well-closed shoes. Also a hat. There are repellents for clothing and for skin.”
Monitor the site of the bite
In case of bites, a tick remover is used. “We place the tick puller perpendicular to the skin, turn counter-clockwise and remove the tick.” Then, you have to watch the skin at the site of the prick, “During the following days and for a month for _check that there is no redness that will increase in the days that follow_. I urge you to take pictures and show them to your doctor.” Regarding the symptoms, the doctor specifies that people may have fever, severe fatigue or even arthritis, “swelling of a joint, knee or elbow”. The doctor reminds that in case of symptoms or doubts, you should consult your general practitioner.