Ticks in the Crimea, is it worth them to be afraid

Are there ticks in Crimea

There are ticks in Crimea, but contrary to popular belief that there are many more in the southern regions, the probability of being bitten by a tick in Crimea is not higher than in other regions of Russia and much lower compared to Siberia and the Urals. To deny yourself a trip to the sunny peninsula because of the fear of ticks is completely unjustified, but preventive measures should be taken.

Features of the Crimean tick

In the Crimea, the European Forest tick is widespread, outwardly extremely similar to its deadly brother – the taiga tick, which lives in the Far East and Siberia. He can also carry the encephalitis virus, but a weaker, Mediterranean type, which does not cause serious damage to health. Another serious disease carried by them is borreliosis.

Where and when there is more danger of meeting with a tick

The tick prefers shady, grassy glades, bushy Woods and park areas. The largest number accumulates near forest trails, watering holes and pastures, attracted by the smell of animals and humans. The victim is waiting for located on the grass or leaves, usually at a height of no more than half a meter above the ground. It gets on the human body clinging to clothing or skin, usually in the area from the foot to the knee, and then rises in search of a suitable place for sucking.

Ticks are active from April to October, the greatest number of them is observed in May and September. Also, the activity of ticks during the day is uneven: the probability of meeting them is high from 8 am to 2 pm and from five to seven PM.

The Tick is most common in the following areas of the Crimea: Simferopol, Belogorsky, Bakhchisaray, Alushta, Kirov and Krasnogvardeysky.

In Steppe areas, on beaches and open spaces, the tick does not live.

Precautions:

• Clothing for forest walks: preferably light, tightly fitting to the wrists and ankles. A hood or headdress is required.
• Shoes are preferably high and closed.
• To relax in the forest should be located in a dry, bright place, away from trails and tall grass. The site for the camp is supposed to be cleared of leaves and dead wood, the perimeter and open areas of the body can be sprayed with repellent compounds (repellents).
• When you are in the forest, you need to inspect the body every one and a half to two hours, if there are fellow travelers, examine each other.
• Clothing and shoes must be treated with acaricidal (anti-mite) agents, open areas of the body – repellents.
• Returning from the forest, it is recommended to examine the body. Clothes should also be inspected and ironed or dried in the sun.
• Carefully inspect pets.

If the tick has already sucked

Carefully remove it by grabbing it with tweezers or tying it with a thread closer to the proboscis. It should be smoothly pulled, twisting or swinging, so that the head of the parasite does not remain in the skin. If the proboscis comes off, remove it with a needle or tweezers. The bite site should be treated with iodine, "Zelenka", alcohol.

It is desirable to keep the tick alive and transfer it to the laboratory for analysis. They will answer whether he was infected. If it is not possible to check the tick, carefully monitor your health: fever, chills, nausea may indicate infection, in which case immediately seek help in the hospital.