As temperatures rise in France ahead of summer, so does the risk of being bitten by a tick carrying Lyme disease, prompting the agricultural research centre Inrae to offer advice on how to avoid it.
Ticks live in wooded, green areas, especially in areas of shade and damp, such as under trees or around stone walls. Up to 20% of them carry Lyme disease in France, depending on the area. The disease is transmitted when an infected tick bites.
The risk is more pronounced in the east and centre-east than in the west, and some parts of the south, but the issue is spreading.
Inrae has created a map showing the incidence of ticks in the area, with the orange and red areas more at-risk
Lyme disease - especially when untreated or in severe cases - can cause fatigue, skin issues, heart, eye and neurological problems.
Advice to avoid it includes:
Prepare before going outside
Ad
If you are planning a hike or picnic in a wooded area or forest, you are advised to “prepare before going out”, said Virginie Renaud, volunteer at the France Lyme association to BMFTV.
She and the public health association Santé publique France recommend:
Wearing a hat to protect against ticks falling from trees
Tuck your trousers into your socks to avoid ticks climbing up from the ankles
Wear long-sleeve tops and long trousers
Stay on paths and avoid going into long grass
Spray anti-tick and anti-insect repellent on your clothes and skin
It is estimated that between 30-50% of tick bites occur in gardens and countryside parks, not only in wild forests.
Check your skin after going outdoors
After you return from spending time outdoors, you are advised to check for ticks. The forestry office l'Office national des forêts recommends:
Inspect your body in detail, especially in skin folds and creases
Check your scalp, behind your ears and neck
Ticks are only 1-3mm wide, so can be easy to miss. Pets can also be affected, so be sure to brush them or de-tick them after they come indoors, too.
You can also wash your clothes at 60C, or tumble dry them for at least an hour, as ticks do not like dry heat.
What if you suspect a bite?
The Assurance maladie website Ameli recommends:
Taking out the tick as soon as possible. Use a tick removal device (un tire-tique) to get hold of the tick and pull it out, without crushing it.
If in doubt, ask for advice at a pharmacy or GP office
After taking out the tick, disinfect the area and keep watch on the area for the next month
Ameli adds: “If you see a red rash or inflammation start to spread, between three and 30 days after the bite, you should see a doctor, as it could be an ‘erythema migrans’, which is an early symptom of Lyme disease.”
This rash is usually circular and red, sometimes with a white area in the middle, in the form of a ‘bull’s eye’ pattern.
