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How to remove ticks properly

26. February 2021

The risk of tick-borne diseases is beginning to rise again in the autumn. These tiny, blood-sucking parasites from the arachnid family live in bushes and at the edge of forests, where they wait on hosts to latch onto. Although a tick bite is often painless due to their numbing saliva, they can transmit pathogens. Lyme disease caused by bacteria is present in Spain, but not tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).

It is important to remove ticks properly to prevent the transmission of pathogens. To do this, the tick should be grasped close to the skin with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick remover and pulled straight out. Crushing the tick should be avoided, as this can facilitate pathogen transmission. After removing the tick, the bite site should be disinfected, and if there are concerns about any remaining parts of the insect, they should be removed by a doctor.

It is advisable to monitor the site after a tick bite and seek medical help if there are signs of redness or other symptoms. An early-treated Lyme disease typically has a mild course. Treatment mainly involves the administration of antibiotics. Since there is no vaccine against Lyme disease, avoiding tick bites through measures like insect repellent is recommended. Children should be checked for ticks after any forest walk.

Dr. Oliver G. Haak
Dr. Oliver Haak is a German pediatrician in Palma de Mallorca. Since 2002, he has been treating residents and tourists in his pediatric practice.

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