With warming in Ukraine, the number of treatment for doctors due to tick bites in children has increased sharply. The National Children's Specialized Hospital "Okhmatdit" reported that helping young patients who had been bitten by parasites has already become a daily practice. Doctors urge not to delay the help of help - ticks can tolerate dangerous infections, including Lyme disease (borreliosis) and tick -borne encephalitis.
Do not remove the tick yourself
If the parasite is still sucked into the body of the baby, you should not try to get it on its own. Only healthcare professionals will be able to do it properly and safely. If the tick is already gone, you should consult a family doctor or infectious specialist as soon as possible, the head of the infectious diagnostic department of the NDSL Okhmatdit Raisa Mostovenko says.
“The doctor will determine whether preventive treatment or further examination is required. Sometimes the symptoms can occur even after a few weeks or years, ”she explains.
Symptoms to pay attention to
After the bite, you should carefully monitor the possible reactions - redness, rash, fever, changes in behavior. These signals may indicate infection.
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a short course of antibiotics or serological tests for the presence of antibodies to Borrelia - the pathogen of Lyme disease.
How to protect children in nature: simple advice
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Choose for walking clothes that completely cover your arms, legs and head.
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After the walk, carefully examine the baby's skin.
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Use repellents allowed for children. Remember that ticks are becoming more and more stable.
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Avoid high grass and thickets where ticks are particularly active.
Doctors emphasize that tick activity does not mean that you need to give up walks. The main thing is vigilance and prevention.
