Areas to be more vigilant this summer

Watch out for ticks! Every summer we were wary of insects like wasps, mosquitoes, hornets…but also ticks. Especially those who transport Lyme disease.

This year, the Grand Est regions (Alsace, Lorraine), the Center region and the Limousin regions will have to be the subject of increased vigilance, if we refer to a map recently published by the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRAE). Lemon-bearing ticks usually live in forests and grasslands, as well as in cultivated urban areas such as gardens.

Infection can occur after 7-14 days

Lyme disease is not contagious, but is transmitted by the bite of a tick that carries borreliosis. Infection can occur 7 to 14 days later due to a skin reaction when a tick bites. It is relatively benign and causes a rash and flu-like symptoms (fatigue, fever, chills, headache).

But if left untreated, this infection can become dangerous chronic It spreads from the skin to the whole body with the risk of infection Multiples which can affect different organs (joints, brain, heart, etc.).

What do you do if you get bitten?

It is recommended to remove the tick as soon as possible with tweezers or a tick extractor available at the drugstore. After removing the tick, it is important to thoroughly disinfect the wound with alcohol or an antiseptic solution.

†If the inflammatory red plaques persist for 3 to 30 days after the bite, a doctor should be consulted because it is erythema migrans, a symptom of Lyme disease† Then antibiotic treatment is necessary.“, especially health insurance website†

According to a study published June 14 in the journal Global Health BMJMore than 14% of the world’s population suffers from Lyme disease.