Index
- How can Lyme disease be prevented?
- What's Lyme disease?
- How do you get this disease?
- Who can be affected by it?
- What can be done to prevent Lyme disease?
- The right reflexes to have
- In case of a tick bite
How can Lyme disease be prevented?
Lyme disease can have a real impact on the health of the person with Lyme disease, as it often progresses silently. This infection, taking a few years to appear, can be very difficult to treat. First identified in the United States, this infection is caused by bacteria. Without treatment, this health disorder can have many serious complications. Fortunately, Lyme disease is entirely preventable. If you are particularly susceptible to the ticks that cause this condition, find out below what you can do to prevent it.
What's Lyme disease?
As previously mentioned, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection. The bacterium in question belongs to the genus Borrelia. This disease is vector-borne. This means that it is transmitted to humans via a vector. Here we are talking about the tick. A tick bite transmits the bacteria into the bloodstream and the blood spreads it throughout the body.
The mode of transmission of Lyme disease is such that it affects more forest walkers as well as farmers and hunters. Veterinarians and game wardens are also among those at risk. In the latter group, the disease can be considered an occupational disease.
How do you get this disease?
Lyme disease is transmitted by tick bites. However, not all ticks can transmit Lyme disease, but only ticks of the genus Ixodes. The latter can infect humans during their various stages of development. Thus the larva, the pupa and the adult tick can all transmit Lyme disease. And once infected, ticks are infected throughout their lives. It should be noted that these insects have a life expectancy of three years.
In addition, this kind of tick can also become infected by sucking the blood of an animal carrying the Borrelia bacteria. Animals that can harbour this bacteria include rodents such as field mice or voles, squirrels, bears, hares, birds and raccoons. Domestic animals such as dogs and cats can also carry the bacteria. It should be noted that ticks are more active, and therefore more likely to bite, in the spring and early fall.
Who can be affected by it?
People working in tick-infected areas are most at risk of Lyme disease. Those at risk include: forest rangers, veterinarians, farmers, hunters, or botanists and scientists conducting research in the forest. This is also the case for holidaymakers who enjoy hiking in the forest. Indeed, ticks live mainly in wooded and humid areas.
What can be done to prevent Lyme disease?
Even if at the tertiary or late stage, Lyme disease can cause a lot of damage (inflammation of the brain, damage to certain sensory nerves, skin that becomes transparent, ...), if certain precautions are taken, the bite can be avoided. You should then know that to prevent Lyme disease, you have to respect certain rules.
The right reflexes to have
If you have to go for a walk in the great outdoors, there are certain criteria you should keep in mind to protect yourself from tick bites.
- The choice of walking area - if it is for a picnic or to stretch your legs, you should avoid woods and undergrowth. Especially in spring and early fall. The same applies to areas covered with tall grass. And if you must take the tree-lined trails, be sure to walk in the middle of the trail.
- Clothes to put on and equipment to take away - to walk safely in the forest or woods, you must wear suitable clothing. This means wearing a long-sleeved top, long trousers and closed shoes. To limit the risks, don't hesitate to wear a cap and lock the bottom of your trousers in your shoe or boot. Also, prefer light-coloured clothing to easily locate ticks.
- Checks to be carried out after the walk - when you return home after the walk, a thorough check should be Ideally, you should even take a shower or bath immediately after returning home. When you remove your clothes and equipment, make sure you observe them carefully before storing them in the cupboard or laundry tub. Then check every nook and cranny of your body (knees, behind your ears, ...), and even your hair. And if you've brought your dog along, don't forget to check him too.
These criteria are also valid for the farmer, veterinarian or other professionals who have to visit a risk area on a daily basis.
In case of a tick bite
If you have been bitten by a tick, you must act quickly to remove it. However, you should use a tick remover or tweezers if you don't have one. To be sure you have the insect, make sure you grasp it as close to your skin as possible. Once you hold it, rotate it counterclockwise.
