Help, I have a Tick bite!

Do you have a Tick bite and don't know what to do? Don't worry. In this blog we explain step by step how you can best get started go – and why acting quickly and carefully is so important.

Prevention is better than cure

Ticks can carry bacteria such as Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacteria can cause Lyme disease in humans. That's why it's important to not only know how to remove a tick, but also how to prevent a bite. In our blog 'How to prevent a Tick bite and so Lyme disease?' read more about it there.

Step-by-step plan for a Tick bite

Still a Tick bite? Don't panic. With this step-by-step plan, you give your body the best chance to stay healthy.

1. Take immediate action

Remove the tick as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours. The sooner you get to it, the smaller the chance that the tick will transmit anything. A tick only returns material to the skin – such as saliva or stomach contents – when it has sucked itself full. Not every tick carries pathogens, but if it does, this could be the moment when the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi is transferred.

2. Remove the tick carefully

Use pointed tweezers or a special tick remover, such as our SaveCard. Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible, under the head. Pull it out gently and straight, without twisting. Check that the tick has been completely removed – including the head. If this does not work well, consult your doctor.

NB!

• Do not irritate the tick with soap, oil, alcohol or the like. The tick may be frightened by this and spit its stomach contents into the wound, which increases the chance of infection.
• Do not crush the tick's body. This prevents any bacteria from entering the skin.

3. Treat the skin after removal

After removal you can disinfect the skin with 70% alcohol or iodine. You can also choose an alternative, such as our caring ointment Walking red. This ointment is specially developed for the skin after a bite and contains a combination of carefully selected plant extracts such as the root of the Teasel and Japanese Knotweed. Don't forget to clean your tick remover - with alcohol or by boiling it briefly.

4. Note the date and report

Always write down when and where on your body you removed the tick. Taking a photo can also be useful. Some complaints only arise weeks later, and then that information is worth gold. Also report the bite to your GP, so that it is included in your medical file. That helps with a possible diagnosis in the future.

5. Be alert

Over the next three months, keep a close eye on the bite site for any changes – such as a red spot or ring (Erhythmic migraine). This could be a sign of an infection. In that case, go to your GP immediately. It is also wise to seek medical help for other complaints, such as fever, fatigue or headache. Not everyone gets a skin reaction when infected.

Ready to hit the road?

Have you gone through all the steps? Then you know you have done the right thing. Do you want to be extra prepared in the future? Our First Aid Prevention Kit contains useful, natural products and tools that support you in preventing and caring for tick bites.