Hot weather brings an increased risk of tick and insect bites. Spending extended periods in green spaces heightens this threat. Faculty members from Istinye University (ISU)—Prof. Dr. Nuriye Taşdelen Fişgın from the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, and Assist. Prof. A. Deniz Akkaya Pultar from the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases—shared advice on how to take precautions against these bites and what steps to follow after being bitten. As people spend more time in parks and gardens during the summer months, the fear of tick and insect bites can be anxiety-inducing.
How can one prevent tick and insect bites? Are all bites harmful? When should a doctor be consulted? Prof. Dr. Fişgın and Assist. Prof. Pultar addressed these questions.
They Prefer Light-Colored Clothing
Regarding precautions against tick and insect bites, Prof. Dr. Fişgın and Assist. Prof. Pultar advise:
"In addition to installing mosquito nets on windows and using protective covers over beds, it is important to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when venturing into forests or green areas, with socks pulled over trousers to limit exposed skin. Choosing light-colored clothing can help in spotting ticks or insects that may be clinging to you. Clothing treated with permethrin, a common agent used for treating scabies and lice, also provides protection against insect bites. Furthermore, insect repellent should be applied to exposed skin, particularly in high-risk areas. In such locations, it is advisable to use DEET-containing repellents on exposed areas and wear permethrin-impregnated clothing. Additional precautions include showering within two hours of returning from outdoor areas and drying clothes in a high-temperature dryer for one hour. It is also important to check the thinner skin areas where ticks commonly feed, such as behind the ears and behind the knees, as well as the entire body."
Some Tick Species Can Cause Disease in Humans
In discussing the risks associated with tick and insect bites, Fişgın and Pultar noted, "There are many tick species in our country. Ticks are parasites that attach to living hosts to feed on blood, allowing them to survive and thrive."
Some tick species can quickly consume large amounts of blood, while others may feed for several days to weeks. Most ticks do not carry harmful pathogens and pose minimal risk to humans. However, certain species can transmit microorganisms that lead to diseases such as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), Lyme disease, and Tularemia. In general, bites from flying insects result in localized inflammatory reactions that typically resolve without complications within a few hours. In some cases, however, these bites can cause severe local reactions, hypersensitivity responses, systemic allergic reactions, or transmit various pathogens that lead to diseases.
There’s no need to go to the hospital every time a tick attaches.
In response to the question of whether individuals should seek hospital care after every tick bite, experts provide the following guidance:
However, if the tick cannot be removed or if the tick's head remains embedded in the skin after removal, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. Additionally, if symptoms such as fever, weakness, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea occur after the tick has been removed, the individual should seek medical attention. People with atopic conditions or those with immune system disorders may be more sensitive to antigens found in insect saliva. Rarely, blistered sores or necrosis may develop at the bite site, often associated with spider bites, in which case a physician should be consulted. Furthermore, some individuals may experience systemic allergic reactions after insect bites, which require immediate medical attention."
It is Crucial to Avoid Scratching to Prevent Infection.
Regarding the management of bites that do not require hospital care, experts advise: "To remove a tick safely, ensure it is extracted whole without breaking it, and clean the area with an antiseptic solution. If antiseptic is unavailable, cologne will suffice. After a bite from a flying insect, wash the affected area with soap and water. Ice or cold compresses can help reduce itching and swelling. It is essential to avoid scratching to prevent infection."
Fever is the Most Significant Indicator.
Experts also emphasize the importance of monitoring individuals after tick and insect bites: "If a tick has been removed from an area where CCHF is prevalent, the individual should monitor their temperature for 14 days. They should consult a doctor if they experience symptoms such as weakness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, nosebleeds, or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Fever is the most critical symptom to watch for. In the case of insect bites, individuals who develop systemic reactions should seek medical care immediately. Anaphylaxis can manifest with symptoms such as widespread hives, angioedema, shortness of breath, vomiting, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness, affecting multiple organ systems. This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate hospitalization. Patients experiencing anaphylaxis may be prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors."
It is crucial for at-risk individuals to have access to adrenaline auto-injectors and to know how to use them correctly when needed.
Istinye University (ISU) Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Nuriye Taşdelen Fışgın
What to Do After a Tick or Insect Bite
- If a tick is found on the body, it should be removed immediately. The longer a tick remains attached, the greater the risk of disease transmission. To remove the tick, use a pair of tweezers or forceps, grasping the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Gently move it left and right, as if removing a nail.
- After removal, apply an antiseptic agent, such as tincture of iodine, to the bite site. Any ticks removed should be disposed of by placing them in bleach to eliminate them.
- It is important to ensure that the entire tick is removed. While feeding, a tick buries its head into the skin, which can cause the body to swell. If not removed completely, the head may break off and remain embedded in the skin, leading to potential infection.
- After removal, do not crush the tick between your fingers, as this can release harmful microorganisms. Additionally, do not attempt to kill the tick on the body by pressing it with cigarettes or pouring cologne on it; these methods are ineffective and can increase the risk of disease transmission.