Safe through the summer: how to protect your child from tick...

An overview of everything you need to know about tick protection

Ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and TBE.
Vaccination protects against TBE. It is particularly recommended in risk areas.
There is currently no vaccination against Lyme disease, so prevention is particularly important.
Protect your child with long clothing, insect repellent and thorough searches after spending time outdoors.
If you discover a tick, remove it as quickly and carefully as possible.
Watch the bite site and seek medical attention if redness, fever or other symptoms occur.

Attention, tick alert!

With the warm season, ticks become active again. Children in particular like to spend a lot of time outdoors. This increases the risk of being bitten by a tick in the garden, on playgrounds or in the forest.

A tick bite can transmit pathogens such as Lyme disease bacteria or TBE viruses. Read here what you need to know about vaccination, what to do after a tick bite and what options there are to protect your child from the consequences.

What are the health risks of ticks?

The nasty little bloodsuckers usually sit in tall grass or bushes and get on your skin as you walk past. They attach themselves there and can transmit pathogens such as Lyme disease or TBE (tick-borne encephalitis). However, not every tick triggers a disease, but caution is still advised. This makes it all the more important to know how diseases manifest themselves and how you can protect yourself against them.

Borreliosis

Borreliosis is often difficult to recognize. It is transmitted by bacteria that are widespread throughout Germany and therefore also in North Rhine-Westphalia. The disease can go unnoticed or have very different courses.

A typical sign of the disease is the rash. The circular rash appears around the bite site, sometimes weeks after the actual tick bite.

Other symptoms may be:

Fever and night sweats
Joint and muscle pain
Fatigue
Swollen lymph glands

The symptoms of the disease often only appear a few weeks after the tick bite. If Lyme disease is detected early, it can be treated well with antibiotics and prevent long-term consequences. There is currently no vaccination.

TBE (tick-borne encephalitis)

TBE is a viral infection that can lead to inflammation of the meninges and spinal cord. The viruses are particularly prevalent in certain risk areas - mainly in southern Germany.

Typical symptoms are similar to flu with fever, headaches and aching limbs. In most cases, the symptoms subside and there is no second phase of the illness. However, it can become more severe, especially in adults, causing late effects such as fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating or paralysis.

Only the symptoms, such as fever or pain, can be treated. The pathogen itself cannot be treated. However, there is an effective vaccination to prevent TBE.

TBE: Does it make sense for my child to be vaccinated?

Vaccination is considered the most effective protection against the consequences of an infection with TBE. This applies to anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors and is particularly important for young children. This is because they like to play a lot in nature and usually close to the ground.

The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends vaccination, especially if you live in a so-called risk area or want to go on vacation there. You can view a map of tick risk areas at the Robert Koch Institute. This makes it easier for you to assess the risk.

The TBE vaccination is considered to be well tolerated. The STIKO recommends it as the safest protection against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) for children aged 12 months and over. There are two approved vaccines. Children may experience a fever for a few days as a side effect. This side effect decreases as children get older.

Important to know: Three vaccinations are required to build up long-term protection. The protective effect starts after the second vaccination. A booster should be given approximately every 5 years. The vaccinations are usually administered over a period of twelve months. If necessary, it is possible to obtain full vaccination protection within five weeks.

The Bundesinstitut für Öffentliche Gesundheit (BIÖG) recommends that parents seek advice from their pediatrician's practice and weigh up the risks and benefits with a healthcare professional.

Who pays for the vaccination?

The cost of a TBE vaccination is between 30 and 50 euros. If you live in a "risk area", your health insurance will cover the cost of the vaccination. This may also apply if you want to go on vacation in a risk region. It is best to clarify this question with your health insurance provider before you travel.

The best precaution is to avoid tick bites as far as possible

A tick vaccination is only effective against TBE, a vaccination against borriolosis is not possible. You should therefore always protect your child from tick bites if possible.These tips can help:

Suitable clothing

Make sure you wear suitable clothing: long pants and long-sleeved tops that fit snugly can prevent ticks from getting onto your child's skin. It is best to pull the socks over the pants.

Light-colored clothing

If your child is wearing light-colored clothing, ticks that have fallen off will be easier to see.

Sturdy shoes

Your child should wear sturdy shoes that are closed on all sides.

Regular scanning

If your child has been outside, you should check them regularly for ticks, especially after an outing in densely overgrown areas. Pay particular attention to areas such as the scalp, neck, armpits, belly button, groin area and behind the ears.

Prevent

You can also use insect repellent lotions as a preventative measure. Apply the product to the uncovered areas of your child's skin. Please follow the manufacturer's instructions and check whether the product is suitable for your child's age.

Control pets

Don't forget to check your pets for ticks. Ticks that have not yet attached themselves can easily get from the animal to the child.

What should I do if my child has been bitten by a tick?

Illustration: Bei der sicheren Zeckenentfernung wird die Pinzette unterhalb des Körpers der Zecke angesetzt

Remove the tick as quickly as possible using tick forceps, a tick card or tweezers.
Important: Avoid crushing or twisting the tick. This could cause the tick's body to burst and bacteria to enter your child's body.
Grab the tick by the head, as close to the skin as possible, and pull it out slowly.
It is best to mark the bite site with a ballpoint pen and observe whether skin changes such as redness occur at the site over the next few days. If this is the case, or if you have a fever or pain as a result of a tick bite, you should consult a doctor.

Where can we find help and advice?

For questions about tick protection and possible vaccination, you can contact your pediatrician's practice.

Information on vaccination against TBE can be found on the website of the Bundesinstitut für Öffentliche Gesundheit (BIÖG).

Answers to frequently asked questions about ticks, tick bites and infection can be found on the website of the Robert Koch Institute.

Tick protection