With the warm weather, more and more people are dealing with tick bites, and with them come numerous myths about protection and removal. To clarify these aspects, at the request of IPN, the epidemiologist of ANSP, Parascovia Gori, pointed out that many popular methods not only do not work, but can also be dangerous. “Gels with vitamin B1 or essential oils are recommended online, but there is no clear scientific evidence about their effectiveness. The safest is to use approved repellents, clinically tested”, says the specialist.
Regarding aromatic plants – lavender, rosemary, wormwood or mint – often planted in gardens to keep ticks at bay, the doctor emphasizes that there is no evidence to confirm their effectiveness: “These are ideas of popular origin, but we do not have data showing that they form a real barrier against ticks”.
After strolls in green areas, experts recommend careful inspection of the skin and washing clothes at temperatures above 60°C. This is sufficient to destroy any possible tick eggs or larvae, without the need for vinegar, special detergents or other substances.
A common mistake is the application of oils or alcohol directly onto the tick. “These practices can cause the insect to release its gastric contents, which increases the risk of transmitting pathogens. The tick must be carefully removed with tweezers, without being crushed. Afterwards, the area should be washed with soap and water and disinfected with iodine tincture”, explained the representative of the ANSP.
Among the diseases transmitted by ticks are Q fever, encephalitis, tularemia, and Lyme disease – the most common in the Republic of Moldova. According to the data from the ANSP, in the first half of this year, 53 cases of Lyme disease were recorded nationwide.
