What You Need to Know About Ticks

I thought when I left the tropics, we would be rid of bugs and fear of dengue. But apparently dengue has arrived in some parts and there is something more to be feared here: TICKS.

I thought we don’t have to worry about them because we don’t go to the forest or hike. HOWEVER our friend’s child got a tick bite from playing in their garden, because animals can easily take ticks from the forest to your grass or the plants around you.

I was walking from our home to the car and found a tick on my arm. I don’t know how it got there.

IMPORTANCE OF VACCINATION

If you live in a place that has a lot of nature, animals and plants, I highly recommend getting vaccinated. You can check this map if you live in an area that has reported bites and areas that recommend the vaccine:

TICK BITE MAP OF SWITZERLAND

Even if you aren’t near forest and don’t hike, it might still be worth getting the vaccine to be safe. Here are some useful info here:

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TICKS IN SWITZERLAND

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

If you are in a high-risk area, or plan to hike:
- Wear clothing that covers the entire body.
- Use anti-tick spray on shoes and the parts that come into contact with grass and bushes.
- Anti-tick products is different for clothing vs for skin. never spray either on your face.
- Protect your dog or cat with an anti-tick product. Stay on wide paths and avoid contact with grass and bushes.
Regularly check your clothing and uncovered body; light-coloured clothes makes it easier to spot ticks.
When you get home, immediately check body and clothes
- Check children’s heads especially carefully
- Check pets.
- Ticks bite anywhere on the body esp. warm, moist and thin areas of skin for example:
  - back of the knees
  - groin
  - inner thigh
  - buttocks
  - neck
  - armpits.
Ask your doctor/pharmacist about vaccination against meningitis (TBE)

HIGHLIGHTING USEFUL INFO

Ticks get active when it’s 7 degrees and more
People get them when we are outdoors more in warmer weather
Animals like foxes can bring them from forests to your gardens
If you’ve gotten bitten by a tick report here: ZECKE TIQUE TICK CH
Switzerland is the only country in Europe where accident insurance covers tick-borne diseases

3 POSSIBLE TICK-BORNE DISEASES

LYME DISEASE no vaccination, antibiotic treatment, usual symptom: red rash 1-30 days after bite
MENINGITIS or tick-borne encephalitis inflammation of the brain & lining, no medication, only treatment for symptoms. We have all gotten the vaccination for this.
TULARAEMIA or rabbit fever bacterial infection, symptoms like flu/skin ulcers, antibiotic treatment, no vaccine