When heading out into the wild, hikers rarely think about the dangers of ticks. These small parasites can however transmit diseases, so it is essential to take all the necessary precautions to avoid them. Here are some tips for protecting yourself from ticks while hiking.
What are the risks associated with ticks?
The main reason to protect yourself from ticks while hiking relates to disease. Indeed, Lyme borreliosis, also known as Lyme disease, is caused by a bacterium, Borrelia. This is transmitted from an infected parasite to humans. If left untreated quickly, it can develop into a chronic and incurable condition. It causes muscle and joint pain as well as neurological disorders.
In addition to Lyme disease, ticks can transmit tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). This virus, which is found mainly in central and eastern Europe, is characterised by flu-like symptoms, sometimes followed by neurological complications (meningitis, encephalitis). If you frequently hike in high-risk areas, the TBE vaccine may be a worthwhile option.
Where do ticks hide?
If you have just started hiking, you should know that ticks live mainly in wooded and damp areas. You may therefore find them in forests, forest edges, clearings or along the sides of paths. They are generally found in tall grass. You may also encounter them in gardens and urban parks.
To find a host, ticks emerge from the ground and climb up tall grass. They wait for a human or animal to pass nearby before latching on. They then make their way up the body in search of skin and blood.
Ticks are sensitive to temperature. They are rarely seen in winter, but become very active as soon as the warmer days return. You may therefore encounter them between spring and autumn, generally from April to October.
Our tips for protecting yourself from ticks while hiking
The best way to protect yourself from ticks while hiking is to wear long clothing. Opt for hiking trousers or convertible trousers that zip off into shorts. These are easy to adapt, so you can stay protected in high-risk areas and then enjoy the lightness of shorts. For the upper body, you can choose hiking t-shirts or long-sleeved shirts.
To prevent ticks from reaching your skin, tuck your top into your trousers and your trousers into your socks. Don't hesitate to wear closed-toe shoes and hiking caps and hats. Also opt for light-coloured clothing, which makes it easier to spot them.
To keep ticks at bay, don't hesitate to use repellents containing DEET (at least 20%), icaridin or citriodiol. Always carry a tick removal tool when hiking. Avoid high-risk areas as much as possible and walk in the middle of paths. If you're having a picnic, bring a blanket to spread on the ground.
Finally, make sure to do a quick check during breaks on your outing. Once back home, examine every part of your body, paying particular attention to the areas ticks favour (armpits, backs of knees, groin, navel, scalp, behind the ears…). Don't forget to check your children, pets and clothing too.
What should you do if you are bitten by a tick?
After a trip out in nature, you may find a tick on you. If so, stay calm: it is easy to remove safely. To do so, use a tick removal tool. Slide it under the body of the parasite and twist gently, in an anticlockwise direction.
If you don't have a tick removal tool, you can extract it using tweezers. In that case, grip it as close to the skin as possible and pull it out vertically. If part of the tick remains lodged in the skin, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Once the tick has been removed, it is important to disinfect the bite with an antiseptic. Even though prompt removal significantly reduces the risk of Lyme disease transmission, you should then monitor the bite for one month. If a red, target-shaped patch that spreads in a circle appears, it is likely a migrating erythema. In that case, you should see a doctor, who will prescribe antibiotic treatment if necessary.
By following all of this advice, protecting yourself from ticks while hiking is relatively straightforward. If you are heading out with children, make sure they are dressed appropriately and check them thoroughly after each outing. If in doubt, don't hesitate to consult a healthcare professional. Happy hiking!
