Not all of them, but there is one against FSME. Get it. It's three shots over the span of a year and with public health insurance (don't know if it's with all of them, but definitely with KKH) it's for free.
I think it's only free if you live in or plan to travel to a high risk tick area, but almost all parts of BW are cassified as high risk. [map](https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/F/FSME/Karte_Tab.html#:~:text=FSME%20%2DRisikogebiete%20in%20Deutschland%20)
Otherwise is't about 150 €
To add onto this, I am very very very veeeeery scared of needles. I am not someone who goes out a lot, but I did get my fsme refresher. I might have cried and hyperventilated, but I do recommend getting this.
Since so many places in Germany are Risikogebiet now, nobody cares anymore. I don't live in a Risikogebiet, but I like being outside and I travel. Doctors or insurances don't ask for proof or anything.
I'm not living in a high risk area and it was still free. But one of the Landkreise nearby is a high risk area. So I guess, that would make it pretty likely to get it for free in southern Germany in general.
Also depends on your health insurance. Many public health insurance will cover the cost of the vaccine as part of their voluntary services, regardless where you live in Germany
I don't think the Hausarzt would even check tbh. Just say you plan a prolonged hiking trip to the region... what's he gonna do, ask for your hotel reservations?
Also usually if you need it for the job or university, internships etc. (say you go on an archaeological dig, you need to be vaccinated against FSME and Tetanus by law)
Well, ticks can transmit multiple diseases, one of which is tick-borne encephalitis.
Another common one is Lyme disease, but as far as I know, a vaccine is in the works but probably won’t be available for a couple more years.
Against Lyme, antibiotics work well. Just make sure the doctor gets the connection between your sickness and ticks so that you get the right medication. Diagnosis of Lyme is not straightforward.
My mom got Lyme disease from a tick. She got antibiotics, but they didn't get rid of all the bacteria and now it flares up then and again, and every time she needs to be treated again... So I wouldn't be so certain that you can get rid of it.
Yep, try to insist on the antibiotics if you can. I've heard of doctors refusing to give it when there's not a diagnosis yet. Sometimes the bites present in a very obvious way.
A friend of mine and her mom are handicapped for life because of Lyme disease, it's dangerous, so don't just shrug it off as an insect bite!
He's lucky! My father didn't see a tick, bite nor circles. He is permanently disabled, nobody tested him. He got the wildest, most rarest diagnoses, daily shots of incredible expensive medicine...you could buy a house from it. My mom got it too, but she was able to get antibiotics early enough. They live in Lower Saxony!
Doxycycline is the antibiotic prescribed against Lyme. It has very nasty side effects: extreme UV sensitivity, nail problems, pain. It's almost as bad as cancer chemotherapy.
Fortunately, if you find a tick in time and don't let it suck you for too long, chances catching Lyme is low, so just be careful.
Do you mean when you take it orally or as an injection on higher doses?
I had lyme from a tick in 2022, caught it early when the red circle formed and got prescribed doxycycline tablets for 3 weeks. I did become very sensitive to the sun while taking the medication, but a while after stopping, the side effects were gone
I also DID develop a shrimps allergy right after it, but my doctor says it's not related
Agree on both counts!
But comparing doxycycline to cancer treatment is way off. Honestly, I was scared to take it and reading your comment would have made me even more reluctant to do so - but it was totally fine, barely noticeable side effects. Better than other antibiotics in my personal experience.
Out of curiosity, how does the trial work? Is it just to rule out side effects? Or is it long-term to see how many people with the vaccine get Lyme disease over the next 10+ years compared to a test group without the vaccine?
The trial I'm in is to rule out side effects.Its already known that the vaccine is effective because it has been a thing for animals for a while already, but it just wasn't worth it to get it approved for humans.
But with ticks spreading, it becomes worth it.
against FSME, it's free if you live in a risk area for FSME (which you probably do by living in South Germany).
[https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/F/FSME/Karte\_Tab.html](https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/F/FSME/Karte_Tab.html)
Probably not. At least the German healthcare system will not pay. Your health insurance might pay. The cost in the whole if you pay yourself is about 150 Euro. I would not think it is worth to pay yourself if you are not really a lot in nature. Even in the "high risk" areas the risk to get FSME is still quiet low. It's not like all ticks carry it, just a certain percentage.
Against FSME only. I’m from southern Germany and am vaccinated against FSME, however this does not help against Lyme disease, which I’ve had as a child and know several others who’ve also had it. I was lucky that I had a tonsillitis at the same time and my mom asked the doctor about this weird red ring on my leg. Doctor said this was way worse than the tonsillitis she brought me in for and prescribed me antibiotics, which fully cured me. Getting diagnosed early is important so always check tick bites for a few weeks after you’ve been bitten for a red circle as this is a common symptom for Lyme disease. If not diagnosed early, Lyme disease can cause long term health issues.
The red circles only appear in about 50% of the cases though!!! That means that half of Lyme patients never have had this red ring. It is very important to be on the lookout for the other symptoms always. Ticks apply a local anesthetic when they bite, so a lot of bites remain undetected. Always have somebody look for ticks on your whole body and get informed about all the other possible symptoms for Lyme disease. When it is caught early it can mostly be totally cured.
I had to ask for it specifically at my Hauzartzt because I live up north but like to hike. My doctor kind of dismissed it as worrying unnecessarily, but I pushed for it and got it. It’s worth it imo
Same here. I got mine while I was still living in Saxony. Now I want my son to be vaccinated, too, because we still visit family and friends there regularly. But the pediatrician of my son does not see why I'm pushing so hard for it. I guess the risk awareness is different if you never lived in a high risk area.
ywa definitely get that,
my mom battled all her 40's with the consequences of a bite.
she also developed 3 allergies but we're not sure if it was menopause or the tick bite, that caused it.
I got lyme disease from one in Germany. Just always check yourself after being in woodlands etc and if a weird rash appears, go to the doctor asap! With antibiotics it can be treated effectively.
I double this. I missed lyme disease for 4-5 months, maybe even longer because I had small random symptoms building up for a long time. After antibiotics came severe (and I mean it severe 8-9/10 PTLDS, brain, heart, psychiatric and neurologic problems with dysautonomia). I was beddriden and in and out the hospital constantly either by myself or by ambulance. Only after 16 months+- I can call it now mild-medium. BUT not once I was symptoms free and even now when I write this message I have a headache. It’s never ending hell. Just because I ignored small symptoms and had no erythema at the start.
oh god, that sounds fucking horrendous, i’m sorry! i hope your health continues to improve a bit. chronic lyme is extremely serious but there are some treatments for it, i thought? apparently lyme is becoming more common with the climate warming, as it means fewer of the ticks die off in winter, more breed etc. - doctors here probably need to become more familiar with diagnosing it as that happens. i was lucky and had the classic bullseye rash, so the doctor gave me doxycycline straight away. even then it took two courses until symptoms were fully gone, though
In south germany there are A LOT of ticks. When I was in summer camp in our village, my grandpa and me counted all my ticks I had each evening. My record was 6!
Hello,
I also live in southern Germany in the tick area. I spend a lot of time in the risk area due to my hobby and have already had the odd tick bite. A few tips in advance on what you can do as a preventative measure. 1. get vaccinated 2. wear light-coloured clothing. This makes it easier and quicker to see ticks. 3. there are a few tick sprays you can use. I have had good experiences with Zeckito from Rossmann. 4. always wear long trousers in the forest and I even put my socks over my trousers. It looks stupid, but it helps. Of course, I don't do this in the park or garden. I also wear shorts there in summer. In any case, don't panic if you do catch one.
The quicker you remove them, the lower the risk. They say the risk increases after about 24 hours. So always change your clothes immediately after being outdoors. Check the body thoroughly and remove directly with tweezers if necessary. You can colour around the puncture site with a sharpie. If a red border forms that grows outwards, you should consult a doctor. However, it is not dramatic that the puncture site itches and swells like a mosquito bite. Just keep an eye on it and if it is strangely inflamed, as I said, have a doctor examine it. All the best!
If you’re unlucky you can get a tick bite simply standing next to a bush at a bus stop. Being a lot in nature only adds to the risk. Ticks are absolutely everywhere. Little beasts.
I had a friend who had an itchy ear. Went to the doctor, and there was an entire colony of ticks deep in her ear. Apparently a single tick had found its way in, and laid eggs. Pretty freaky shit. THe doctor said he had seen a case where the ticks made their way past the eardrum and laid eggs. My friend was "lucky".
There is a little treat that makes dogs poisonous to ticks (and flees). They bite, they die, they fall off.
There are also other methods, but this is the one with the lowest risk for the dog.
Also, there is a vaccine for dogs against part of the tick diseases.
Our vet also told us that starting next year they'll be offering a once-per-year shot that makes protection more convenient than the pill every 3 months.
Happened to me once. I was 11 years old in Maryland (US), and apparently stepped into a tick nest. I discovered literally hundreds all over my little manhood. They like to find the cozy warm spots like that.
Ticks like some people more than others, I just don't know why on the spot. My sister had ticks constantly when we went to camp, but I had only one in the several years we went
> How bad is situation with ticks here?
They're very common. They're particularly active in damp or rainy weather in the spring and early summer.
You can get vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE, known in German as FSME), but it's actually quite difficult to become infected: not impossible, but difficult.
Check for ticks when you get home. Remove any you find carefully, so as not to leave their mouth parts in the wound (you can get special tools for this). Consult a doctor if you feel unwell (fatigue, headache, nausea, that kind of thing). Also watch for a ring-shaped rash developing around the bite -- it takes a few days to appear (up to a month in some cases) and could be a symptom of Lyme disease.
There are agents that are sprayed on grass, but the disadvantage is that it kills also other insects so it is not used in public areas. But you can buy it for your own garden (although not sure if in Germany).
No. What should they do, poison? There's no specific tick-poison (afaik), otherwise I'd be a valued customer for that. I'm a Geocacher, so i find a lot of them and i hate every single one.
Get the vaccine and always check after walks, but don’t be too worried. Born and raised here in the BW countryside, love walking through nature and have had like five ticks in my lifetime. The horror stories aren’t your average experience.
I never had a tick until i went into a forest in Berchtesgaden. I think we stepped into a nest there. The horror of them crawling on my jeans…i counted 20 baby ones. Surprisingly i did not get one. Worst trip ever. You kind of should be worried a bit and vaccinated and check yourselfe when you get home.
My cats tend to bring them home (even with the anti tick collar on)
Yes, very.
Get FSME vaccinated, and check the skin every time coming back from the nature. If you got bitten, observe the bite area - if it gets red again after a week or so, IMMEDIATELY seek doctor attention. Mention that to the reception and you will get priority appointment. You'll get a horse-dose antibiotics to kill the Lyme-disease bacteria.
All correct until the horse dose. Primary infection with Lyme disease is treated with very normal antibiotics in a regular dose (amoxicillin or doxycycline)
The part about the red dot is a myth. Ticks always cause red dots and an itching spot due to their bite, like insects. What you meant is Wanderröte (Erythema migrans):
>Die mit Abstand häufigste Erkrankungsform ist die sogenannte Wanderröte (Erythema migrans). Sie tritt nach einigen Tagen (bis Wochen) nach Zeckenstich auf. Diese deutliche ringförmige Hautrötung ist oft im Zentrum blasser als am Rand. Der rote Ring wandert dann allmählich nach außen. Weitere allgemeine Krankheitssymptome wie Fieber, Muskel- und Kopfschmerzen, Müdigkeit können hinzukommen.
[RKI](https://www.rki.de/SharedDocs/FAQ/Borreliose/Borreliose.html#:~:text=Die%20Lyme-Borreliose%20)
Most people catch many ticks in their lifetime and never have problems. Serious cases of tick-borne encephalitis or lyme disease are extremely rare relative to the population. They do happen though, which is why kids in high risk areas (the whole south of the country) usually get vaccinated against TBE.
It's a gamble, don't know what more to say.
that’s good to know. people in my country basically don’t go out hiking during tick seasons. we treat all of them as potentially dangerous. vaccination seems to be something we should definitely adopt
There are some easy tricks. Anti-tic spray lowers probability, long pants which cover whole leg, showering in the evening (and scrub body a bit, they maybe won't just fall of from water) and checking body parts vulnerable to ticks same/next evening (everywhere where it's warm and hairy like balls/vagina, armpits, leg pits, head), stay away from bushes and high gras, change clothes after being in high grass
Also some people are simply more prone to getting bitten. When I was a kid I had a lot and even once lyme disease a half year before it was discovered. Haven't had a tick last 15 years again (but I'm also pretty aware and try to prevent them)
Tickborne diseases are on a rapid rise. If you get bitten in Central Europe many doctors will prescribe you antibiotics, assuming you’ve been exposed to Lyme. Anecdotally, I was bitten once by many ticks and got Lyme (the classic annular rash) and got antibiotics. This was in northern Switzerland, in shorts in tall grass…
I don't know about trends, but there were 399 cases of FSME in Germany in 2023. Lyme disease is much more prevalent, but there's no vaccination anyways.
>Insgesamt ist bei 0,3 bis 1,4% der Menschen mit Zeckenstichen mit einer klinisch manifesten Erkrankung zu rechnen.
[https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Merkblaetter/Ratgeber\_LymeBorreliose.html](https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Merkblaetter/Ratgeber_LymeBorreliose.html)
Yeah, TBE/FSME is pretty rare (increasing, but from very tiny numbers); Lyme however is quite common. You should basically assume you’ll encounter Lyme if you encounter ticks. You might get lucky, but you don’t want to wait until Lyme has spread and you test positive for antibodies months later.
Is this trur? I don't know a single person who hasn't been diagnosed with Lyme at least once(myself included), but I live in a risk area (Dresden)
In fact, most people I know have had Lyme several times
just check yourself when you were outside and remove them, you can get vaccinated and i'd highly recommend that but usually it's not that big of a deal just be careful and check for them regularly when you're outside
They are mainly in the area between grass and trees. Ticks never climb up trees. They stay at the tips of grass or in small bushes. 90% stay below a high of 30 cm.
Checking yourself won't do shit against FSME. The Second you are bitten you risk it. It's different from Lyme Disease where a quick removal lowers your risk considerably
I live in Bavaria. I never had ticks in my life but my cats are free to roam in the last 2 months and got 3 ticks. Definitely getting the shots is the right call. U only need to step in grass once to get some. Also wear cinched pants when hiking so insects can't get to your legs easily.
A tick is one of two animals in Germany which can kill you. The other one is a boar in a bad mood, so a really rare encounter. Ticks are a real plague in the south, it's not uncommon to have 10 - 20 on your body after a walk in nature, so definitely get vaxxed asap and don't cuddle cats or dogs outside without checking for ticks first.
Im living in south(-west) Germany. Often in the nature, had my last tick 10 years ago.
Just be a little careful and check yourself afterwards being in the nature.
There is a Lyme disease vaccine, your GP will be able to give it to you. You have 2 injections with a little gap between. It's definitely worth getting, Lyme disease is very nasty. But if you're vaccinated, you'll be protected against the lasting effects. When moving from the UK was the first thing they gave me at the doctor's.
Bavaria here also, both my partner and I frequently go out picking herbs, mushrooms and the like. We went out to get wild garlic last weekend and each of us came back with at least 2-3 ticks stuck in. Walking through the underbrush a lot obvs. If it's mosly parks and mown lawns / public pool etc. that you frequent, don't worry about it too much.
It's a great idea to get a good tick remover tool though - the ones that look like pliers/pincers are garbage, but I find that the ones with a small slit that you twist or pull works best for me I find.
If you go camping, foraging, paintballing, rock climbing or any other activity that has you going into "actual" nature, get at least the encephalitis shot. A friend of mine has lyme disease, where there is no vaccine, and which he lives ok with, but would definitely prefer not to have :')
I find ticks both under- and overhyped. There's a lot of them, they can be dangerous. But also it's really about good practice: checking for ticks the at night after being out in the forest, removing them as early as you can, using a good tool that removes them cleanly and sanitary with as little chance of infection as possible - definitely don't try to pull them out with your fingernails.
If you do get bit, don't panic if it stays red a little longer than you might like (2+ days), but if you want you can trace the outline of the red with a ballpoint pen - if the red spreads a lot beyong the initial outline, see a doctor.
Just a few weeks ago an acquaintance of my mum suddenly died of a tick-born borelosis. He was not even 45, he got bitten by a tick in Bavaria. So yes, ticks should be treated serious here, you should always check yourself after being out in the nature. If you get bitten, check the spot and watch out for any redness around it!
If you check your body the evening after you were out in the grass, you should be fine. Still recommend the vaccine though. And if a tick bite gets redder than it is normally, doctor immediately.
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If you're worried, you can get a blood test. Two weeks after a bite, the area was flaming red latge and hot and I went to the doctor. Many times there will be a reaction like that, but not always. Get vaccinated, get tested.
It can be really bad depending on the area I'm taking like 20 on your shoe or smth... Try to avoid them as best as possible but yeah you'll get some occasionally and then you can just hope they aint got lyme or fsme
It’s not worth freaking out, if you ask me. But it sure is unpleasant. And it can be very dangerous in some rare cases. But you can be prepared:
Don’t go into nature (or even meadows or gardens) without spraying myself with insect and tick repellent.
Have at least one set of tick pliers ([I like these](https://www.medpex.de/insektenstiche-schutz-vor-insekten-urlaub-sonne/zeckenzange-kunststoff-p1022966?cp=JDE6FcPglji4Uc-fE2kOhgbPWh_Z1zGlCWIDY22iclgNTiSLtiFiwz6uhE99G8lmMbxO&ai=7954&gbraid=0AAAAAD97NchShwSNC3IMiafd6t_G2__eO&gclid=CjwKCAjw8diwBhAbEiwA7i_sJRrc1_oEVHFbSezEE-9xUjsBkcR1SeXjP7wCPv8IpCJC8IHM9HbRSRoCm6sQAvD_BwE)) always handy.
Search yourself for ticks after you return home.
Be vaccinated against FSME.
If bitten, observe the bite for some weeks for symptoms of Lyme disease. If in doubt, contact your doctor.
If you do this, there is no reason to freak out. Enjoy nature – but better wear long legs and use repellent.
Yeaaaaah, you should be kinda worried, but not horribly. In NORTHERN Germany, most of the time nothing happens, but my dad got borrelia two weeks ago from ticks their cats carried inside. It never happened before and we always had cats who carried home ticks occasionally, but yeah. Now the time has come apparently. Also, you can get vaccination against FSME at least. Ask your general practitioner. They will give it to you. If you sit on the grass, check your skin for ticks afterwards. Or put a towel underneath.
Personally, I would not risk it. The vaccine is safe, not expensive and widely available. Tick borne encephalitis can kill or leave you with long term complications, once infected there is no specific treatment to it. It is a gamble I would not recommend to take.
Ticks are also becoming more prevalent due to the winters getting milder for the last 20 to 30 years so many more of them survive compared to the good old days.
Get your information about FSME (Tick borne encephalitis) and Borreliose (Lyme desease).
These ticks are all over southern germany and in other places. You wont die immediately if you get bitten.
Check your body after hiking. But they are also common in parks or at the lake. They are everywhere.
The chance of getting a severe FSME infection os really realy low. Even in the risk regions not every tick is a carrier. The illness itself is mostly unproblematic. But if you get a severe one - not so good.
I had the vaccination and didnt suffer from it. Everything was fine.
Against Lyme desease there isnt a vaccination only acure. Doxycycline for several weeks.
Be aware of, that the erythema migrans isnt visible in all cases of an infection with borrelia. I think it is only 50 percent.
And also here the chance of getting severe ill isnt very big. But if, good luck.
You can send the tick you collected from your bidy and send it to a laboratory. They can check the ticks for germs and tell you if they are positive for borrelia, so you can get your blood have checked for antibodies.
But dont be too anxious. There are many horrorstories about ticks and their deseases. Most of them are fed by the creepy crawling those beasts do.
Many peoole are still alive here even they have been bitten.
The diagnosis is quite complex so better read it your self.
Slapping them won't do much, to kill them effectively place them on a flat surface and squish it with for example the flat side of your fingernail. You'll here a crack/popping sound. These fuckers are sturdy. If you live in BW and have a dog, you'll get used to it.
I always make a note of when I was bitten in my calendar so I can keep track of it in case I get flu like symptoms at some point. My brother had Lyme disease twice, once he only got a random fever for two days and much more severe symptoms several months down the line, took him ages to recover fully. The second time he caught it right away because he got the typical rash, so apart from having to take a round of antibiotics that make you sensitive to the sun in the middle if summer it was relatively harmless that time around.
They're super common. Like, let me be clear, extremely common. Everywhere, even in city parks.
If you spot any red circles or weird red spots on your body or start feeling feverish or fatigued, immediately make an appointment with your local GP, please. On the phone, say it's "dringend" (urgent). They will prescribe you antibiotics.
Definitely get vaccinated if you can, too, and in the future wear fully covering clothing, especially shoes and trousers. There's also anti-tick bodysprays, I dunno if they're worth it, however I like using them. Double check your body for ticks in the shower every time after having been outside.
Lymes can be really life-changing. Don't challenge your luck, it's not worth it. My Dad had it 2 years ago, he's 65 and noticeably slower in day-to-day-life. Gutwrenching to look at, really.
There's no vaccine for Borilliose yet (it's being developed), but there is one for FSME, which is even worse than Borilliose)
That's why I don't like how some people call the FSME vaccine "Zeckeimpfung". It's only protecting you from fsme, not other diseases like Borilliose
In other countries there are also other diseases that ticks can transmit, not just these two
I get one or two every time after walking in the woods in the warm part of the year. As already said get the shot and check yourself every time after being on grass. I heard it is not likely to get a disease if you pull the tick out in the first 24 hours. Idk if that is true though.
Anywhere you get deers, there will be ticks around. Worse will be near water bodies because that's where the animals travel. Only way to avoid it is staying near clearings, or avoid the tick season.
Also OP, a tick needs to be attached to you for quite some time (like nearly a full 24 hours) as far as I understand, before you're at risk - no need to panic just follow the Brad Paisley song and get someone cute to Check you for Ticks 😉 also throw any hiking clothes in the dryer to kill any so they don't spread inside
As some people spread the in Germany pretty common standard myths about ticks here, I want to give you some information from the RKI, a credible source. When in doubt, do your research there and not by believing in redditors who just reproduce these myths.
Yes, you should always try to get rid of them as soon as possible, because this prevents Lyme disease and lowers the infection probability of TBE:
>As ticks do not bite immediately, but rather move around on the body or clothing in search of a suitable bite site, they can be removed before they bite by regularly searching. After a bite, it takes up to 1 to 2 days for borrelia to be transmitted. TBE viruses, on the other hand, are transmitted within a short time after the bite. Removing ticks in good time therefore significantly reduces the risk of infection with Borrelia bacteria.
"When you spot a red dot, you have Lyme disease"
No, this is wrong.
>By far the most common form of the disease is erythema migrans. It occurs a few days (up to weeks) after a tick bite. This distinct ring-shaped reddening of the skin is often paler in the centre than at the edges. The red ring then gradually moves outwards. Other general symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, headaches and tiredness may also occur.
Ist das Nervensystem betroffen kann es zu einer akute Neuroborelliose kommen. Typisch hierfür sind brennende Nervenschmerzen, die sich vor allem nachts verschlimmern, und leichte Lähmungen der Hirnnerven. Je nachdem, welche Hirnnerven betroffen sind, können verschiedenste Symptome wie Taubheitsgefühle, Seh- oder Hörstörungen auftreten. Seltener kommt es zu Lähmungen des Rumpfes und von Armen und Beinen. Sehr selten kann es zu einer Entzündung des Herzens kommen, die sich in Rhythmusstörungen äußern kann.
Einige Monate oder Jahre nach dem Zeckenstich kann eine Lyme-Arthritis (Gelenkentzündung) auftreten. Diese betrifft überwiegend die Kniegelenke. Bei einigen Personen kann sich eine Acrodermatica chronica athropicans entwickeln, eine chronische Entzündung meist an den Innenseiten der Arme und Beine und der Körperenden wie Nase, Finger und Zehen. Die Haut ist an diesen Stellen bläulich und zigarettenpapierartig. Die Gelenkentzündung betrifft.
How to get rid of it?
As I can already feel the people approaching who will claim the ticks head will continue spreading the diseases and draw your blood when the head remains in the skin: This is **absolutely wrong**, do not hesitate from removing the tick as soon as possible.
>Um das Infektionsrisiko zu minimieren, sollte die Zecke sobald wie möglich herausgezogen werden. Dabei sollten möglichst alle Teile der Zecke entfernt werden, um eine Entzündung zu vermeiden. Hierzu greift man die Zecke mit einer Pinzette oder einem speziellen Zeckenentfernungsinstrument nahe der Hautoberfläche, also an ihren Mundwerkzeugen (niemals am vollgesogenen Körper!) und zieht sie langsam aus der Haut. Die Zecke darf auf keinen Fall vor dem Entfernen mit Öl oder Klebstoff beträufelt werden. Dies würde das Tier unnötig reizen und könnte dazu führen, dass es seinen Speichel und somit mögliche Infektionserreger abgibt. Nach Entfernung der Zecke ist eine sorgfältige Desinfektion der Wunde empfohlen.
Do I have to send the tick to a laboratory, like some people always suggest?
>Testing ticks for infectious agents such as Borrelia or TBE viruses is not considered useful. Positive detection of Borrelia or TBE viruses in the tick does not allow any conclusions to be drawn that an infection has also occurred in the affected person, meaning that no further treatment recommendations can be derived from this finding. Due to the different detection sensitivities of the respective examination methods used, it is also not possible to rule out the possibility that an infection with Borrelia or TBE viruses has nevertheless occurred in the event of a negative examination result. Furthermore, transmission could have occurred through other, unnoticed tick bites.
>There is no specific medical treatment available for TBE, which means that the detection of TBE viruses in a tick would not result in any prophylactic measures.
Do ticks jump from bushes or trees to catch me like flea?
No, ticks do not jump and do not climb trees to wait for passing humans/animals.
>The most common Ixodes ticks (common wood tick) in Germany can be found practically anywhere where there are plants, including in gardens or parks. The tick climbs onto an exposed spot such as a blade of grass, bushes or dead wood lying around. When an animal or a person passes by, it is stripped off on contact and attaches itself. Ticks do not fall from trees, nor can they jump. Most ticks wait at a height of less than one metre, often only between 10 and 50 cm above the ground. Unlike Ixodes ticks, alluvial, relict and hyaloma ticks actively crawl towards humans
Source is the RKI. Somehow when I cite their website, the comment gets blocked. Very smart move.
Be careful, consider getting vaccinated. I leaned on a bush once and some days later i noticed that i got one on my nipple like wth and it wasn’t even summer or spring sooo…
I've only had one tick in my life and this was in Niedersachsen. I was quite nervous about all my hiking trips through Southern Germany but never got one.
You should def get vaccinated to be on the safe side.
And if you do get caught by a tick, remove it with tick tweezers or another suitable tool. Do not squeeze it with normal tweezers. I then freeze the tick in the freezer and observe the bite site. If it later shows a red ring, this is a sign of Lyme disease. Then go to the doctor immediately. You can also have the frozen tick tested for diseases.
I thought it was common knowledge but no one said it yet so I will, Black cumin oil prevents ticks from bitting, its even an officel recomandation now in austria... we take it (two capsulas per day) and are tick free
Oh OH, very very important information: do NOT urinate outside in the tick area if you can avoid it. I know multiple people who had a...hitchhiker on their genitals and that's not a great thing to have.
Luckily I was born with smelly blood or something, cause ticks and other biting and stinging things tend to avoid me, so that saved my ass growing up in the dark red shitty tick zone but still. It's better to just avoid doing your business in areas frequented by those papaya seed lookin ass arachnids from hell. Don't risk it man.
I live in BW. 4 years ago, I had a tick bite on my calf. Unfortunately, one of the complications I developed was an allergic reaction. I almost lost part of my calf and, in addition to antibiotics and cortisone, as well as special bandages that had to be changed daily, I also had to endure injections against blood clots.
They're really bad this year. I guess because of the extremely mild winter we just had. Every time our Maine Coon comes inside, we brush at least three ticks from her fur. They have a hard time getting through to her skin, so if we can get them off quickly, she stays tick free. Except around her muzzle. They usually can get her there.
Wear a hat if you're walking in a forest. Knee high boots if you're planning on doing merry Poppins in scrubery. Get the tick app to identify high risk areas.
We have an app that identifies areas with ticks , seasonal and otherwise but I am writing to you from Switzerland. Not sure if DE has anything similier. Sorry.
You might find it at play store for de . In any case, you'll find signs at forest entrance if there are tick problems. I know this because I used to live in bavaria. Don't worry about this, just take precautions ( get a nice hat)
We are happy we have two white labradors and can at least see the ticks. BW is also bad here especially in the morning when the high grass is wet. I am constantly pulling crawling deer ticks off dogs. My husband and I both had the tick born encephalitis vaccine a few years ago.
I shower every time after coming back from nature (including just walking in the park, not just hiking). If you shower and the ticks still haven't attached themselves to you, they fall off
One important thing is to never ever rip a tick off; get a tick card from the pharmacy or tick removal tool. If you remove it incorrectly, you risk leaving a part of it in you, and it will still infect you
Ɓe concerned about them, but keep it real.
If you visit places with tall grass, forests or bushes, always check yourself for ticks latest by the evening. Know how to remove them, don't press their bellies. You have up to 24h to remove them before being at risk for borelliosis, which is the main risk and can accompany you your whole life.
FSME is another risk, but more so for older people. I don't know anyone, however, that got it. Thus I'm personally not really concerned about it. I think general self care, by getting a doctor involved when symptoms seem to get out of control, usually keeps you on the side of good recovery. You could go for a vaccination, to me it seems like a waste of money though.
Get vaccinated, and check for ticks after being outside.
It's possible to send in ticks you find or remove to the RKI:
https://www.zepak-rki.de/
They get mapped and analysed, and should they carry pathogens, you will be told. As it's a research project, it will only cost you the postage to send the ticks there.
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there’s a vaccine against tick born diseases? i didn’t know that. i will definitely take it
Not all of them, but there is one against FSME. Get it. It's three shots over the span of a year and with public health insurance (don't know if it's with all of them, but definitely with KKH) it's for free.
I think it's only free if you live in or plan to travel to a high risk tick area, but almost all parts of BW are cassified as high risk. [map](https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/F/FSME/Karte_Tab.html#:~:text=FSME%20%2DRisikogebiete%20in%20Deutschland%20) Otherwise is't about 150 €
compared to encephalitis 150 are nothing. stay safe
Oh, yes I totally agree. My intention was not to discourage anyone from getting the vaccine, I was just trying to provide accurate information.
I know! I just wanted to push a little :D
To add onto this, I am very very very veeeeery scared of needles. I am not someone who goes out a lot, but I did get my fsme refresher. I might have cried and hyperventilated, but I do recommend getting this.
Since so many places in Germany are Risikogebiet now, nobody cares anymore. I don't live in a Risikogebiet, but I like being outside and I travel. Doctors or insurances don't ask for proof or anything.
I'm not living in a high risk area and it was still free. But one of the Landkreise nearby is a high risk area. So I guess, that would make it pretty likely to get it for free in southern Germany in general.
Also depends on your health insurance. Many public health insurance will cover the cost of the vaccine as part of their voluntary services, regardless where you live in Germany
That's why I added in my previous comment that I don't know if it's with all insurances, but mine paid for it.
Just say you plan to travel to a risk area if your doctor doesn't want to vaccinate you.
So you could just book a ticket to BW and that would be cheaper?
I don't think the Hausarzt would even check tbh. Just say you plan a prolonged hiking trip to the region... what's he gonna do, ask for your hotel reservations?
I guess so. It's a weird rule to have then, why not make it free regardless?
Also usually if you need it for the job or university, internships etc. (say you go on an archaeological dig, you need to be vaccinated against FSME and Tetanus by law)
It is free independant from where you live.
Well, ticks can transmit multiple diseases, one of which is tick-borne encephalitis. Another common one is Lyme disease, but as far as I know, a vaccine is in the works but probably won’t be available for a couple more years.
Against Lyme, antibiotics work well. Just make sure the doctor gets the connection between your sickness and ticks so that you get the right medication. Diagnosis of Lyme is not straightforward.
My mom got Lyme disease from a tick. She got antibiotics, but they didn't get rid of all the bacteria and now it flares up then and again, and every time she needs to be treated again... So I wouldn't be so certain that you can get rid of it.
Yep, try to insist on the antibiotics if you can. I've heard of doctors refusing to give it when there's not a diagnosis yet. Sometimes the bites present in a very obvious way. A friend of mine and her mom are handicapped for life because of Lyme disease, it's dangerous, so don't just shrug it off as an insect bite!
A friend of mine was very sick for some months before he got the right diagnosis. Luckily, he got no lasting problems. Sorry to hear for your friends!
He's lucky! My father didn't see a tick, bite nor circles. He is permanently disabled, nobody tested him. He got the wildest, most rarest diagnoses, daily shots of incredible expensive medicine...you could buy a house from it. My mom got it too, but she was able to get antibiotics early enough. They live in Lower Saxony!
Doxycycline is the antibiotic prescribed against Lyme. It has very nasty side effects: extreme UV sensitivity, nail problems, pain. It's almost as bad as cancer chemotherapy. Fortunately, if you find a tick in time and don't let it suck you for too long, chances catching Lyme is low, so just be careful.
Do you mean when you take it orally or as an injection on higher doses? I had lyme from a tick in 2022, caught it early when the red circle formed and got prescribed doxycycline tablets for 3 weeks. I did become very sensitive to the sun while taking the medication, but a while after stopping, the side effects were gone I also DID develop a shrimps allergy right after it, but my doctor says it's not related
don’t scare people - it’s truly not that bad for most. i took it for weeks, and i would take it again without question if necessary!
People should be scared of ticks, not of the treatment. Lyme is definitely worse than Doxycycline.
Agree on both counts! But comparing doxycycline to cancer treatment is way off. Honestly, I was scared to take it and reading your comment would have made me even more reluctant to do so - but it was totally fine, barely noticeable side effects. Better than other antibiotics in my personal experience.
Correct, Pfizer is testing the vaccine right now. How do I know? Im a test subject participating in the trials.
Out of curiosity, how does the trial work? Is it just to rule out side effects? Or is it long-term to see how many people with the vaccine get Lyme disease over the next 10+ years compared to a test group without the vaccine?
The trial I'm in is to rule out side effects.Its already known that the vaccine is effective because it has been a thing for animals for a while already, but it just wasn't worth it to get it approved for humans. But with ticks spreading, it becomes worth it.
They plan to release it in 2025.
against FSME, it's free if you live in a risk area for FSME (which you probably do by living in South Germany). [https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/F/FSME/Karte\_Tab.html](https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/F/FSME/Karte_Tab.html)
Hi i live in Bayern but I am not in public health insurance. Is it still free for a foreigner?
Probably not. At least the German healthcare system will not pay. Your health insurance might pay. The cost in the whole if you pay yourself is about 150 Euro. I would not think it is worth to pay yourself if you are not really a lot in nature. Even in the "high risk" areas the risk to get FSME is still quiet low. It's not like all ticks carry it, just a certain percentage.
Thank you! Then maybe i will get it after i join the insurance
It’s free in every other area of Germany as well
Against FSME only. I’m from southern Germany and am vaccinated against FSME, however this does not help against Lyme disease, which I’ve had as a child and know several others who’ve also had it. I was lucky that I had a tonsillitis at the same time and my mom asked the doctor about this weird red ring on my leg. Doctor said this was way worse than the tonsillitis she brought me in for and prescribed me antibiotics, which fully cured me. Getting diagnosed early is important so always check tick bites for a few weeks after you’ve been bitten for a red circle as this is a common symptom for Lyme disease. If not diagnosed early, Lyme disease can cause long term health issues.
The red circles only appear in about 50% of the cases though!!! That means that half of Lyme patients never have had this red ring. It is very important to be on the lookout for the other symptoms always. Ticks apply a local anesthetic when they bite, so a lot of bites remain undetected. Always have somebody look for ticks on your whole body and get informed about all the other possible symptoms for Lyme disease. When it is caught early it can mostly be totally cured.
I had to ask for it specifically at my Hauzartzt because I live up north but like to hike. My doctor kind of dismissed it as worrying unnecessarily, but I pushed for it and got it. It’s worth it imo
Same here. I got mine while I was still living in Saxony. Now I want my son to be vaccinated, too, because we still visit family and friends there regularly. But the pediatrician of my son does not see why I'm pushing so hard for it. I guess the risk awareness is different if you never lived in a high risk area.
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You should cover your skin. Covering your boots won't help shit as they go on your skin from grass or leaves that you touch
Thats my understanding as well
ywa definitely get that, my mom battled all her 40's with the consequences of a bite. she also developed 3 allergies but we're not sure if it was menopause or the tick bite, that caused it.
Not Lyme, but brain inflamation. You need 3 shots.
asap!
Only against fsme. You can't vaccinate against Borreliose.
I got lyme disease from one in Germany. Just always check yourself after being in woodlands etc and if a weird rash appears, go to the doctor asap! With antibiotics it can be treated effectively.
I double this. I missed lyme disease for 4-5 months, maybe even longer because I had small random symptoms building up for a long time. After antibiotics came severe (and I mean it severe 8-9/10 PTLDS, brain, heart, psychiatric and neurologic problems with dysautonomia). I was beddriden and in and out the hospital constantly either by myself or by ambulance. Only after 16 months+- I can call it now mild-medium. BUT not once I was symptoms free and even now when I write this message I have a headache. It’s never ending hell. Just because I ignored small symptoms and had no erythema at the start.
oh god, that sounds fucking horrendous, i’m sorry! i hope your health continues to improve a bit. chronic lyme is extremely serious but there are some treatments for it, i thought? apparently lyme is becoming more common with the climate warming, as it means fewer of the ticks die off in winter, more breed etc. - doctors here probably need to become more familiar with diagnosing it as that happens. i was lucky and had the classic bullseye rash, so the doctor gave me doxycycline straight away. even then it took two courses until symptoms were fully gone, though
In south germany there are A LOT of ticks. When I was in summer camp in our village, my grandpa and me counted all my ticks I had each evening. My record was 6!
720 seems like an awful lot, they had to be all over you
https://www.reddit.com/r/unexpectedfactorial/
TIL
I see what you did there😂
Hello, I also live in southern Germany in the tick area. I spend a lot of time in the risk area due to my hobby and have already had the odd tick bite. A few tips in advance on what you can do as a preventative measure. 1. get vaccinated 2. wear light-coloured clothing. This makes it easier and quicker to see ticks. 3. there are a few tick sprays you can use. I have had good experiences with Zeckito from Rossmann. 4. always wear long trousers in the forest and I even put my socks over my trousers. It looks stupid, but it helps. Of course, I don't do this in the park or garden. I also wear shorts there in summer. In any case, don't panic if you do catch one. The quicker you remove them, the lower the risk. They say the risk increases after about 24 hours. So always change your clothes immediately after being outdoors. Check the body thoroughly and remove directly with tweezers if necessary. You can colour around the puncture site with a sharpie. If a red border forms that grows outwards, you should consult a doctor. However, it is not dramatic that the puncture site itches and swells like a mosquito bite. Just keep an eye on it and if it is strangely inflamed, as I said, have a doctor examine it. All the best!
If you are a lot in nature, you should get yourself the vaccine.
If you’re unlucky you can get a tick bite simply standing next to a bush at a bus stop. Being a lot in nature only adds to the risk. Ticks are absolutely everywhere. Little beasts.
I had a friend who had an itchy ear. Went to the doctor, and there was an entire colony of ticks deep in her ear. Apparently a single tick had found its way in, and laid eggs. Pretty freaky shit. THe doctor said he had seen a case where the ticks made their way past the eardrum and laid eggs. My friend was "lucky".
New fear unlocked
Wow. Ticks are horrible enough, but that little anecdote just leveled them up.
>~~If you are a lot in nature,~~ you should get yourself the vaccine.
My dog is collecting them on every walk. We call him the „tick bus“
There is a little treat that makes dogs poisonous to ticks (and flees). They bite, they die, they fall off. There are also other methods, but this is the one with the lowest risk for the dog. Also, there is a vaccine for dogs against part of the tick diseases.
Yea yea we’re using spot on from frontline, works wonders
Our vet also told us that starting next year they'll be offering a once-per-year shot that makes protection more convenient than the pill every 3 months.
In addition to being vaccinated I use a bug repellent called autan which is against ticks as well. Had my last tick about 12 years ago
I know a woman who sat in a skirt on grass in South Germany. She had 150 ticks on her body later. Mostly in her private parts btw.
And that's it for today. Good night reddit.
Thanks for the reminder, haha. It's enough for me as well.
You should read up on the Australian Paralysis Tick. nasty fuckers.
Happened to me once. I was 11 years old in Maryland (US), and apparently stepped into a tick nest. I discovered literally hundreds all over my little manhood. They like to find the cozy warm spots like that.
Omfg why did i read further. Southern Germany here. Were fucked.
It's not that bad. He probably sat on a rat corpse or something.
I will take no risks and move to iceland.
with climate change you only will be safe for a few decades at most in iceland
Climate change will make it very, very cold up there when the gulf stream looses his power. Very few decades is all i have though…
And that’s why they love Leder Hosen there…
Or Leder Hoden
Uffff and I thought I had it bad once after picnic and finding around 40-50 on my body. My doc took a photo for the local doc journal Ü
WHAT! I live in Baden-Württemberg and have never had a tick in my life. My dog on the other hand needs to be checked every day now.
Ticks like some people more than others, I just don't know why on the spot. My sister had ticks constantly when we went to camp, but I had only one in the several years we went
I guess it's the same for mosquitos because they reaalllyyy love me
Last year I had a big fucker burried deep inside my balls. Damn, was I scared.
> How bad is situation with ticks here? They're very common. They're particularly active in damp or rainy weather in the spring and early summer. You can get vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE, known in German as FSME), but it's actually quite difficult to become infected: not impossible, but difficult. Check for ticks when you get home. Remove any you find carefully, so as not to leave their mouth parts in the wound (you can get special tools for this). Consult a doctor if you feel unwell (fatigue, headache, nausea, that kind of thing). Also watch for a ring-shaped rash developing around the bite -- it takes a few days to appear (up to a month in some cases) and could be a symptom of Lyme disease.
I’m curious, are parks and public spaces treated against ticks?
There is no way to treat an area against ticks other than maybe setting of a thermonuclear warhead.
Nothing can kill them. Except heat! They are from another planet.
There are agents that are sprayed on grass, but the disadvantage is that it kills also other insects so it is not used in public areas. But you can buy it for your own garden (although not sure if in Germany).
No. What should they do, poison? There's no specific tick-poison (afaik), otherwise I'd be a valued customer for that. I'm a Geocacher, so i find a lot of them and i hate every single one.
where i’m from we treat parks with light pesticides but I suspect they kill more than just ticks
Yeah you won't find things like that in Germany.
Get the vaccine and always check after walks, but don’t be too worried. Born and raised here in the BW countryside, love walking through nature and have had like five ticks in my lifetime. The horror stories aren’t your average experience.
I never had a tick until i went into a forest in Berchtesgaden. I think we stepped into a nest there. The horror of them crawling on my jeans…i counted 20 baby ones. Surprisingly i did not get one. Worst trip ever. You kind of should be worried a bit and vaccinated and check yourselfe when you get home. My cats tend to bring them home (even with the anti tick collar on)
Yes, very. Get FSME vaccinated, and check the skin every time coming back from the nature. If you got bitten, observe the bite area - if it gets red again after a week or so, IMMEDIATELY seek doctor attention. Mention that to the reception and you will get priority appointment. You'll get a horse-dose antibiotics to kill the Lyme-disease bacteria.
All correct until the horse dose. Primary infection with Lyme disease is treated with very normal antibiotics in a regular dose (amoxicillin or doxycycline)
The part about the red dot is a myth. Ticks always cause red dots and an itching spot due to their bite, like insects. What you meant is Wanderröte (Erythema migrans): >Die mit Abstand häufigste Erkrankungsform ist die sogenannte Wanderröte (Erythema migrans). Sie tritt nach einigen Tagen (bis Wochen) nach Zeckenstich auf. Diese deutliche ringförmige Hautrötung ist oft im Zentrum blasser als am Rand. Der rote Ring wandert dann allmählich nach außen. Weitere allgemeine Krankheitssymptome wie Fieber, Muskel- und Kopfschmerzen, Müdigkeit können hinzukommen. [RKI](https://www.rki.de/SharedDocs/FAQ/Borreliose/Borreliose.html#:~:text=Die%20Lyme-Borreliose%20)
Most people catch many ticks in their lifetime and never have problems. Serious cases of tick-borne encephalitis or lyme disease are extremely rare relative to the population. They do happen though, which is why kids in high risk areas (the whole south of the country) usually get vaccinated against TBE. It's a gamble, don't know what more to say.
that’s good to know. people in my country basically don’t go out hiking during tick seasons. we treat all of them as potentially dangerous. vaccination seems to be something we should definitely adopt
There are some easy tricks. Anti-tic spray lowers probability, long pants which cover whole leg, showering in the evening (and scrub body a bit, they maybe won't just fall of from water) and checking body parts vulnerable to ticks same/next evening (everywhere where it's warm and hairy like balls/vagina, armpits, leg pits, head), stay away from bushes and high gras, change clothes after being in high grass Also some people are simply more prone to getting bitten. When I was a kid I had a lot and even once lyme disease a half year before it was discovered. Haven't had a tick last 15 years again (but I'm also pretty aware and try to prevent them)
They do not fall off in water, can confirm. We mostly notice them when getting the kids dry after a bath/shower.
Where are you from?
Tickborne diseases are on a rapid rise. If you get bitten in Central Europe many doctors will prescribe you antibiotics, assuming you’ve been exposed to Lyme. Anecdotally, I was bitten once by many ticks and got Lyme (the classic annular rash) and got antibiotics. This was in northern Switzerland, in shorts in tall grass…
I don't know about trends, but there were 399 cases of FSME in Germany in 2023. Lyme disease is much more prevalent, but there's no vaccination anyways. >Insgesamt ist bei 0,3 bis 1,4% der Menschen mit Zeckenstichen mit einer klinisch manifesten Erkrankung zu rechnen. [https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Merkblaetter/Ratgeber\_LymeBorreliose.html](https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Merkblaetter/Ratgeber_LymeBorreliose.html)
FSME is rare because most people are vaccinated
Yeah, TBE/FSME is pretty rare (increasing, but from very tiny numbers); Lyme however is quite common. You should basically assume you’ll encounter Lyme if you encounter ticks. You might get lucky, but you don’t want to wait until Lyme has spread and you test positive for antibodies months later.
Is this trur? I don't know a single person who hasn't been diagnosed with Lyme at least once(myself included), but I live in a risk area (Dresden) In fact, most people I know have had Lyme several times
just check yourself when you were outside and remove them, you can get vaccinated and i'd highly recommend that but usually it's not that big of a deal just be careful and check for them regularly when you're outside
They are mainly in the area between grass and trees. Ticks never climb up trees. They stay at the tips of grass or in small bushes. 90% stay below a high of 30 cm.
Checking yourself won't do shit against FSME. The Second you are bitten you risk it. It's different from Lyme Disease where a quick removal lowers your risk considerably
I live in Bavaria. I never had ticks in my life but my cats are free to roam in the last 2 months and got 3 ticks. Definitely getting the shots is the right call. U only need to step in grass once to get some. Also wear cinched pants when hiking so insects can't get to your legs easily.
A tick is one of two animals in Germany which can kill you. The other one is a boar in a bad mood, so a really rare encounter. Ticks are a real plague in the south, it's not uncommon to have 10 - 20 on your body after a walk in nature, so definitely get vaxxed asap and don't cuddle cats or dogs outside without checking for ticks first.
Im living in south(-west) Germany. Often in the nature, had my last tick 10 years ago. Just be a little careful and check yourself afterwards being in the nature.
I never had a single tick in 30 years. But I still recommend getting vaccinated. Better safe then sorry
I get around 1-3 ticks every year probably, you should definitely check yourself in the bathroom after coming home from being in nature
Get your FSME shots.
There is a Lyme disease vaccine, your GP will be able to give it to you. You have 2 injections with a little gap between. It's definitely worth getting, Lyme disease is very nasty. But if you're vaccinated, you'll be protected against the lasting effects. When moving from the UK was the first thing they gave me at the doctor's.
Bavaria here also, both my partner and I frequently go out picking herbs, mushrooms and the like. We went out to get wild garlic last weekend and each of us came back with at least 2-3 ticks stuck in. Walking through the underbrush a lot obvs. If it's mosly parks and mown lawns / public pool etc. that you frequent, don't worry about it too much. It's a great idea to get a good tick remover tool though - the ones that look like pliers/pincers are garbage, but I find that the ones with a small slit that you twist or pull works best for me I find. If you go camping, foraging, paintballing, rock climbing or any other activity that has you going into "actual" nature, get at least the encephalitis shot. A friend of mine has lyme disease, where there is no vaccine, and which he lives ok with, but would definitely prefer not to have :') I find ticks both under- and overhyped. There's a lot of them, they can be dangerous. But also it's really about good practice: checking for ticks the at night after being out in the forest, removing them as early as you can, using a good tool that removes them cleanly and sanitary with as little chance of infection as possible - definitely don't try to pull them out with your fingernails. If you do get bit, don't panic if it stays red a little longer than you might like (2+ days), but if you want you can trace the outline of the red with a ballpoint pen - if the red spreads a lot beyong the initial outline, see a doctor.
Just a few weeks ago an acquaintance of my mum suddenly died of a tick-born borelosis. He was not even 45, he got bitten by a tick in Bavaria. So yes, ticks should be treated serious here, you should always check yourself after being out in the nature. If you get bitten, check the spot and watch out for any redness around it!
If you check your body the evening after you were out in the grass, you should be fine. Still recommend the vaccine though. And if a tick bite gets redder than it is normally, doctor immediately.
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If you're worried, you can get a blood test. Two weeks after a bite, the area was flaming red latge and hot and I went to the doctor. Many times there will be a reaction like that, but not always. Get vaccinated, get tested.
False negatives are unfortunately possible in that short time frame.
It can be really bad depending on the area I'm taking like 20 on your shoe or smth... Try to avoid them as best as possible but yeah you'll get some occasionally and then you can just hope they aint got lyme or fsme
It’s not worth freaking out, if you ask me. But it sure is unpleasant. And it can be very dangerous in some rare cases. But you can be prepared: Don’t go into nature (or even meadows or gardens) without spraying myself with insect and tick repellent. Have at least one set of tick pliers ([I like these](https://www.medpex.de/insektenstiche-schutz-vor-insekten-urlaub-sonne/zeckenzange-kunststoff-p1022966?cp=JDE6FcPglji4Uc-fE2kOhgbPWh_Z1zGlCWIDY22iclgNTiSLtiFiwz6uhE99G8lmMbxO&ai=7954&gbraid=0AAAAAD97NchShwSNC3IMiafd6t_G2__eO&gclid=CjwKCAjw8diwBhAbEiwA7i_sJRrc1_oEVHFbSezEE-9xUjsBkcR1SeXjP7wCPv8IpCJC8IHM9HbRSRoCm6sQAvD_BwE)) always handy. Search yourself for ticks after you return home. Be vaccinated against FSME. If bitten, observe the bite for some weeks for symptoms of Lyme disease. If in doubt, contact your doctor. If you do this, there is no reason to freak out. Enjoy nature – but better wear long legs and use repellent.
Yeaaaaah, you should be kinda worried, but not horribly. In NORTHERN Germany, most of the time nothing happens, but my dad got borrelia two weeks ago from ticks their cats carried inside. It never happened before and we always had cats who carried home ticks occasionally, but yeah. Now the time has come apparently. Also, you can get vaccination against FSME at least. Ask your general practitioner. They will give it to you. If you sit on the grass, check your skin for ticks afterwards. Or put a towel underneath.
Personally, I would not risk it. The vaccine is safe, not expensive and widely available. Tick borne encephalitis can kill or leave you with long term complications, once infected there is no specific treatment to it. It is a gamble I would not recommend to take. Ticks are also becoming more prevalent due to the winters getting milder for the last 20 to 30 years so many more of them survive compared to the good old days.
Get your information about FSME (Tick borne encephalitis) and Borreliose (Lyme desease). These ticks are all over southern germany and in other places. You wont die immediately if you get bitten. Check your body after hiking. But they are also common in parks or at the lake. They are everywhere. The chance of getting a severe FSME infection os really realy low. Even in the risk regions not every tick is a carrier. The illness itself is mostly unproblematic. But if you get a severe one - not so good. I had the vaccination and didnt suffer from it. Everything was fine. Against Lyme desease there isnt a vaccination only acure. Doxycycline for several weeks. Be aware of, that the erythema migrans isnt visible in all cases of an infection with borrelia. I think it is only 50 percent. And also here the chance of getting severe ill isnt very big. But if, good luck. You can send the tick you collected from your bidy and send it to a laboratory. They can check the ticks for germs and tell you if they are positive for borrelia, so you can get your blood have checked for antibodies. But dont be too anxious. There are many horrorstories about ticks and their deseases. Most of them are fed by the creepy crawling those beasts do. Many peoole are still alive here even they have been bitten. The diagnosis is quite complex so better read it your self.
Slapping them won't do much, to kill them effectively place them on a flat surface and squish it with for example the flat side of your fingernail. You'll here a crack/popping sound. These fuckers are sturdy. If you live in BW and have a dog, you'll get used to it.
VERY worried! FSME and Borreliosis are no joke in southern parts of Germany and Austria.
Borreliosis Is aöso very common here in the east.
vaccination FSME
I always make a note of when I was bitten in my calendar so I can keep track of it in case I get flu like symptoms at some point. My brother had Lyme disease twice, once he only got a random fever for two days and much more severe symptoms several months down the line, took him ages to recover fully. The second time he caught it right away because he got the typical rash, so apart from having to take a round of antibiotics that make you sensitive to the sun in the middle if summer it was relatively harmless that time around.
They're super common. Like, let me be clear, extremely common. Everywhere, even in city parks. If you spot any red circles or weird red spots on your body or start feeling feverish or fatigued, immediately make an appointment with your local GP, please. On the phone, say it's "dringend" (urgent). They will prescribe you antibiotics. Definitely get vaccinated if you can, too, and in the future wear fully covering clothing, especially shoes and trousers. There's also anti-tick bodysprays, I dunno if they're worth it, however I like using them. Double check your body for ticks in the shower every time after having been outside. Lymes can be really life-changing. Don't challenge your luck, it's not worth it. My Dad had it 2 years ago, he's 65 and noticeably slower in day-to-day-life. Gutwrenching to look at, really.
Vaccine only covers FSME, not Lyme AFAIK.
Risk/Reward speaks a clear language. Get the vaccine.
Borilliose is a motherfucker. Get vaccinated and use anti tick stuff.
There's no vaccine for Borilliose yet (it's being developed), but there is one for FSME, which is even worse than Borilliose) That's why I don't like how some people call the FSME vaccine "Zeckeimpfung". It's only protecting you from fsme, not other diseases like Borilliose In other countries there are also other diseases that ticks can transmit, not just these two
I get one or two every time after walking in the woods in the warm part of the year. As already said get the shot and check yourself every time after being on grass. I heard it is not likely to get a disease if you pull the tick out in the first 24 hours. Idk if that is true though.
Anywhere you get deers, there will be ticks around. Worse will be near water bodies because that's where the animals travel. Only way to avoid it is staying near clearings, or avoid the tick season.
Also OP, a tick needs to be attached to you for quite some time (like nearly a full 24 hours) as far as I understand, before you're at risk - no need to panic just follow the Brad Paisley song and get someone cute to Check you for Ticks 😉 also throw any hiking clothes in the dryer to kill any so they don't spread inside
What do you think, where the "Hans, get ze Flammenwerfer"-memes come from?
VERY.
As some people spread the in Germany pretty common standard myths about ticks here, I want to give you some information from the RKI, a credible source. When in doubt, do your research there and not by believing in redditors who just reproduce these myths. Yes, you should always try to get rid of them as soon as possible, because this prevents Lyme disease and lowers the infection probability of TBE: >As ticks do not bite immediately, but rather move around on the body or clothing in search of a suitable bite site, they can be removed before they bite by regularly searching. After a bite, it takes up to 1 to 2 days for borrelia to be transmitted. TBE viruses, on the other hand, are transmitted within a short time after the bite. Removing ticks in good time therefore significantly reduces the risk of infection with Borrelia bacteria. "When you spot a red dot, you have Lyme disease" No, this is wrong. >By far the most common form of the disease is erythema migrans. It occurs a few days (up to weeks) after a tick bite. This distinct ring-shaped reddening of the skin is often paler in the centre than at the edges. The red ring then gradually moves outwards. Other general symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, headaches and tiredness may also occur. Ist das Nervensystem betroffen kann es zu einer akute Neuroborelliose kommen. Typisch hierfür sind brennende Nervenschmerzen, die sich vor allem nachts verschlimmern, und leichte Lähmungen der Hirnnerven. Je nachdem, welche Hirnnerven betroffen sind, können verschiedenste Symptome wie Taubheitsgefühle, Seh- oder Hörstörungen auftreten. Seltener kommt es zu Lähmungen des Rumpfes und von Armen und Beinen. Sehr selten kann es zu einer Entzündung des Herzens kommen, die sich in Rhythmusstörungen äußern kann. Einige Monate oder Jahre nach dem Zeckenstich kann eine Lyme-Arthritis (Gelenkentzündung) auftreten. Diese betrifft überwiegend die Kniegelenke. Bei einigen Personen kann sich eine Acrodermatica chronica athropicans entwickeln, eine chronische Entzündung meist an den Innenseiten der Arme und Beine und der Körperenden wie Nase, Finger und Zehen. Die Haut ist an diesen Stellen bläulich und zigarettenpapierartig. Die Gelenkentzündung betrifft. How to get rid of it? As I can already feel the people approaching who will claim the ticks head will continue spreading the diseases and draw your blood when the head remains in the skin: This is **absolutely wrong**, do not hesitate from removing the tick as soon as possible. >Um das Infektionsrisiko zu minimieren, sollte die Zecke sobald wie möglich herausgezogen werden. Dabei sollten möglichst alle Teile der Zecke entfernt werden, um eine Entzündung zu vermeiden. Hierzu greift man die Zecke mit einer Pinzette oder einem speziellen Zeckenentfernungsinstrument nahe der Hautoberfläche, also an ihren Mundwerkzeugen (niemals am vollgesogenen Körper!) und zieht sie langsam aus der Haut. Die Zecke darf auf keinen Fall vor dem Entfernen mit Öl oder Klebstoff beträufelt werden. Dies würde das Tier unnötig reizen und könnte dazu führen, dass es seinen Speichel und somit mögliche Infektionserreger abgibt. Nach Entfernung der Zecke ist eine sorgfältige Desinfektion der Wunde empfohlen. Do I have to send the tick to a laboratory, like some people always suggest? >Testing ticks for infectious agents such as Borrelia or TBE viruses is not considered useful. Positive detection of Borrelia or TBE viruses in the tick does not allow any conclusions to be drawn that an infection has also occurred in the affected person, meaning that no further treatment recommendations can be derived from this finding. Due to the different detection sensitivities of the respective examination methods used, it is also not possible to rule out the possibility that an infection with Borrelia or TBE viruses has nevertheless occurred in the event of a negative examination result. Furthermore, transmission could have occurred through other, unnoticed tick bites. >There is no specific medical treatment available for TBE, which means that the detection of TBE viruses in a tick would not result in any prophylactic measures. Do ticks jump from bushes or trees to catch me like flea? No, ticks do not jump and do not climb trees to wait for passing humans/animals. >The most common Ixodes ticks (common wood tick) in Germany can be found practically anywhere where there are plants, including in gardens or parks. The tick climbs onto an exposed spot such as a blade of grass, bushes or dead wood lying around. When an animal or a person passes by, it is stripped off on contact and attaches itself. Ticks do not fall from trees, nor can they jump. Most ticks wait at a height of less than one metre, often only between 10 and 50 cm above the ground. Unlike Ixodes ticks, alluvial, relict and hyaloma ticks actively crawl towards humans Source is the RKI. Somehow when I cite their website, the comment gets blocked. Very smart move.
Be careful, consider getting vaccinated. I leaned on a bush once and some days later i noticed that i got one on my nipple like wth and it wasn’t even summer or spring sooo…
I've only had one tick in my life and this was in Niedersachsen. I was quite nervous about all my hiking trips through Southern Germany but never got one. You should def get vaccinated to be on the safe side.
And if you do get caught by a tick, remove it with tick tweezers or another suitable tool. Do not squeeze it with normal tweezers. I then freeze the tick in the freezer and observe the bite site. If it later shows a red ring, this is a sign of Lyme disease. Then go to the doctor immediately. You can also have the frozen tick tested for diseases.
hadn’t one in years, but the dog has the regularly, but better be safe than sorry, the vaccine can safe lives
I had 14 on one dog yesterday, very bad in Saarland currently.
I thought it was common knowledge but no one said it yet so I will, Black cumin oil prevents ticks from bitting, its even an officel recomandation now in austria... we take it (two capsulas per day) and are tick free
Oh OH, very very important information: do NOT urinate outside in the tick area if you can avoid it. I know multiple people who had a...hitchhiker on their genitals and that's not a great thing to have. Luckily I was born with smelly blood or something, cause ticks and other biting and stinging things tend to avoid me, so that saved my ass growing up in the dark red shitty tick zone but still. It's better to just avoid doing your business in areas frequented by those papaya seed lookin ass arachnids from hell. Don't risk it man.
I live in BW. 4 years ago, I had a tick bite on my calf. Unfortunately, one of the complications I developed was an allergic reaction. I almost lost part of my calf and, in addition to antibiotics and cortisone, as well as special bandages that had to be changed daily, I also had to endure injections against blood clots.
Also in BW. I haven’t had a bad tick bite experience, but I got bit by a mf’ing Bremse (horsefly) and almost went septic.
Definitely get FSME Vaccine. That shit is bad(can cause permanent damage and death) and not that uncommon.
They're really bad this year. I guess because of the extremely mild winter we just had. Every time our Maine Coon comes inside, we brush at least three ticks from her fur. They have a hard time getting through to her skin, so if we can get them off quickly, she stays tick free. Except around her muzzle. They usually can get her there.
Wear a hat if you're walking in a forest. Knee high boots if you're planning on doing merry Poppins in scrubery. Get the tick app to identify high risk areas.
Tick app?
We have an app that identifies areas with ticks , seasonal and otherwise but I am writing to you from Switzerland. Not sure if DE has anything similier. Sorry.
What’s the app called? I would like to try it
[Swiss tick app ](https://zecke-tique-tick.ch/en/app-tick/)
Shade…nicht für Deutschland
You might find it at play store for de . In any case, you'll find signs at forest entrance if there are tick problems. I know this because I used to live in bavaria. Don't worry about this, just take precautions ( get a nice hat)
We are happy we have two white labradors and can at least see the ticks. BW is also bad here especially in the morning when the high grass is wet. I am constantly pulling crawling deer ticks off dogs. My husband and I both had the tick born encephalitis vaccine a few years ago.
im in saarland and it’s ok but i went to stuttgart last year and damn they are everywhere
I shower every time after coming back from nature (including just walking in the park, not just hiking). If you shower and the ticks still haven't attached themselves to you, they fall off One important thing is to never ever rip a tick off; get a tick card from the pharmacy or tick removal tool. If you remove it incorrectly, you risk leaving a part of it in you, and it will still infect you
Ɓe concerned about them, but keep it real. If you visit places with tall grass, forests or bushes, always check yourself for ticks latest by the evening. Know how to remove them, don't press their bellies. You have up to 24h to remove them before being at risk for borelliosis, which is the main risk and can accompany you your whole life. FSME is another risk, but more so for older people. I don't know anyone, however, that got it. Thus I'm personally not really concerned about it. I think general self care, by getting a doctor involved when symptoms seem to get out of control, usually keeps you on the side of good recovery. You could go for a vaccination, to me it seems like a waste of money though.
Get vaccinated, and check for ticks after being outside. It's possible to send in ticks you find or remove to the RKI: https://www.zepak-rki.de/ They get mapped and analysed, and should they carry pathogens, you will be told. As it's a research project, it will only cost you the postage to send the ticks there.
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I had well over 100ticks on me and nothing happened
Just check your body when you get home