5 top tips for tackling ticks on your travels

Travellers frequently worry about encountering poisonous spiders and mosquitoes when travelling abroad; however, one bug that typically goes under the radar is the humble tick, a parasite whose tiny bite can have an outsized impact on your life.

The reason for concern is not the bite itself, but rather the diseases that ticks may carry, from encephalitis to African tick-bite fever. By far the most common of these is Lyme disease, a condition whose symptoms – fever, rash, facial paralysis, arthritis – may last months after treatment and frequently go undiagnosed, thanks to their similarity with other conditions.

Taking precautions

Ticks are found on every continent – even Antarctica – but are particularly common in the fields and forests of Western Europe, where Austria, Czechia and Germany report the highest cases of tick-borne infections. And while the good news is that if you are bitten, it’s unlikely that you will become ill (only 1–5% of tick bites in Europe results in infection), you can still act to minimise those odds.

Ticks are most active during the warmer months (Apr–Aug), when we are more likely to be outdoors and wearing the least amount of clothing. The best way to avoid bites is to wear long sleeves and trousers, making it harder for a tick to latch on, and to use an effective insect repellent. Keeping to open pathways also helps, as you’re more likely to come into contact with ticks if you’re walking or cycling through long grass or vegetation.

When packing, especially for camping or hiking trips, include an antihistamine bite cream such as Anthisan, which can help relieve any bite area. Also bring a tick remover, so that if you do discover an unwanted passenger, you can safely remove it – a tick’s head left embedded in your skin increases the risk of infection. And before doing so, be sure to cleanse the bite area first with antiseptic wipes.

Know your symptoms

If you are infected, the speed at which Lyme disease symptoms develop varies, from a couple of days to up to three months. The first sign is often a rash that looks like a bullseye, but even this is not universal. You can develop flu-like symptoms, including feeling feverish, achy, fatigued and nauseous; on rare occasions, nerve pain or a drooping of the face can also occur.

Some 3,500 cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed in the UK every year. If you have any of these symptoms, informing your doctor of a tick bite – even if it was months ago – can help with diagnosis. When caught early, Lyme disease can easily be treated with antibiotics; if left, it becomes harder to treat and the infection may spread.

But if you take anything away from this article, it’s that you shouldn’t avoid the outdoors for fear of picking up a tick. By taking precautions and being aware, you can stay one jump ahead.

5 tips for tackling ticks

1. To avoid bites, wear long-sleeved tops and long trousers, with the latter tucked into your socks or boots if hiking. Wearing light-coloured clothes can also help you to spot any ticks looking for a way in.

2. Bring the right gear. Insect repellents containing DEET or Picaridin are effective on ticks, though garlic is a more natural solution. Also bring antihistamine bite cream and antiseptic wipes.

3. Frequently check your clothing and skin when in areas that contain ticks. It can take from a few hours to a couple of days of feeding for a tick to pass on an infection, so they are best removed quickly.

4. Use a tick removal tool to extract ticks. Be careful not to squeeze the tick so the body separates. Get hold of it as close to the skin as possible, then firmly but slowly pull or twist upwards to remove.

5. If you feel unwell or develop any symptoms indicating Lyme disease, visit your GP, pharmacist or call 111 (in the UK) immediately.

Dr Kevin Barrett is a GP at New Road Surgery, Hertfordshire

All content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. Consult a healthcare professional before taking action.