Pharmacist issues warning about ‘monster ticks’ in Europe’s holiday hotspots

The British were warned about the “monster ticks” that were spreading across Europe. Hyalomma lusitanicum, the large blood-sucking ticks of Africa and Southeast Asia, are carried by wild animals, including rabbits, and can cause dangerous diseases.

They are now particularly prevalent in Spain, the Balearic Islands, southern Italy and Turkey, according to The Express. A report by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control found that before 2005 the number of Hyalomma ticks was no more than 5% of the total.

Navin Khosla, pharmacist at NowPatient, said: “As the summer season approaches, thousands of Brits will be flying around the world to enjoy a well-deserved break and, more importantly, a dose of sunshine. But despite all the benefits of traveling abroad, there are some downsides, especially when it comes to your health.

“When traveling to different countries, we all need to be more aware of insects and diseases that can pose a risk to our health, such as ticks – a small spider-like creature often found in grassy and wooded areas.” So how can tourists spot ticks, understand the symptoms and prevent being bitten? Health experts share everything you need to know.

What are ticks?

According to Carolina Goncalves, superintendent pharmacist at Pharmica, ticks are small, blood-sucking arachnids closely related to spiders, mites and scorpions. “They are external parasites that feed on the blood of mammals, birds and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. There are several species of ticks, although the ones that bite people most often are the black-legged tick, the lone star tick and the American dog tick,” she said.

“Once a tick finds a suitable host, it attaches by cutting the skin with its mouthparts. He then inserts a feeding tube, often with barbs to anchor it firmly. Ticks secrete saliva that contains anesthetic properties, making their bites painless. They can feed for several days, swelling as they ingest blood, which temporarily increases their size, making them easy to spot.”

How can you detect tick bites?

A tick bite will most of the time go unrecognized because for most people, you won’t feel one. “With this in mind, it is important to regularly check your skin and clothing for ticks. If you notice an oval-shaped rash on your skin, it could be a sign of Lyme disease. It is important to know that the rash can appear up to three months after the bite, although the rash will usually appear within one to four weeks,” said Khosla.

Goncalves agreed and added: “Adult ticks are about 3 to 5 mm long, depending on age, sex and species, which makes them difficult to spot. “It often grows in wet and wooded areas, grasslands and thickly vegetated areas. They are commonly found in forests, scrub fields and along animal trails. Ticks cannot fly or jump. Instead, they climb on blades of grass or leaves and wait for a host to pass by, a behavior known as “foraging”. They sense hosts through body heat, moisture and vibration.

“One way to spot ticks is to wear lighter colored clothing so they are easier to spot and remove.”

What are the symptoms?

In addition to a rash, other common symptoms include a headache, muscle and joint pain, a high temperature and fatigue. “If you notice you’re starting to experience any of these symptoms, it’s worth talking to your GP,” Khosla said.

“Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose, so your doctor will need to send you for blood tests, and if you are confirmed to have the infection, you will most likely be prescribed a course of antibiotics.” Signs of infection could also include redness, swelling or a rash around the bite site, Goncalves said.

“Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain or swollen lymph nodes may also occur. If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible, who will likely prescribe antibiotics such as doxycycline or amoxicillin to treat any potential tick-borne infections.

How to recover if you have been bitten?

When bitten by a tick, it is important to remove the tick immediately. “Given their small size, tweezers are often used for this purpose. After removing the tick, disinfect the bite area and hands with alcohol, an iodine scrub or, if these are not available, soap and water,” Goncalves said.

Khosla also believes it’s important to be careful not to squeeze or crush the tick: “Start pulling up and discarding the tick once it’s removed from the skin. Finally, clean the infected area with an antiseptic or soap and water,” he said.

Is there any way to protect yourself from ticks?

There are several ways to protect yourself from tick bites and avoid the need for medical intervention. “First, consider clothing choices that can protect against ticks, such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants. It can also help to tuck your pants into your socks, as this creates a barrier that prevents ticks from reaching your skin,” Goncalves said.

“Ticks usually climb up from ground-level vegetation, so by tucking your pants into your socks, you reduce the chances of ticks accessing exposed skin. For added protection, consider using a tick repellent that contains chemicals such as N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) and picaridin.

“DEET disrupts certain neurons and receptors in ticks’ antennae, preventing them from biting the skin. On the other hand, picaridin is thought to block ticks’ smell and taste receptors, making it difficult for them to detect human odors and therefore making it less likely that ticks will attach to the skin and bite.”