THL has published instructions on what to do when a tick attaches to the skin
Finland’s nature is at its best in summer. Ticks become active early in spring and are active throughout the summer until late autumn.
The risk of diseases transmitted by ticks varies by region in Finland, but it is mostly relatively low. However, the diseases can be severe, so ticks understandably cause a lot of worry.
Possible risks caused by ticks must be considered when moving in nature
When moving in a tick area, it is important to protect yourself and prevent ticks from accessing your skin. The best way to protect yourself is wearing covering clothing: light-coloured clothes with long sleeves and legs and high-top shoes or pulling your socks over your trouser legs.
A tick check after moving in nature is an effective way to prevent a Borrelia infection, as it takes at least one day for the bacteria causing the disease to transfer from the intestinal system of the tick to the human body. Tick-borne encephalitis, that is, the TBE virus, is located in the mouth area of the tick and it takes just a few minutes for it to transmit to a human.
What to do if you find an attached tick?
If the tick has already attached to the skin, you should remove it by grasping it as close to the skin as possible with a pair of sharp-tipped tweezers or your fingernails. The tick is detached by steadily pulling it outward. You should disinfect the area of the bite with an antiseptic. Enter the date on which the tick was detached in your calendar so that you know it if it is needed later.
For more information, see the leaflet: What to do if a tick bites you (PDF 4.9 MB) (in Finnish)
Make sure to complete your vaccination series
Tick-borne encephalitis can be prevented by vaccination. The interactive TBE map maintained by THL allows you to check the current vaccination recommendations and areas included in the national vaccination programme.
Even though one vaccine dose already reduces the risk of severe disease, it is important to get the complete vaccine series. In summer, it is a good idea to check your vaccination information to see if it is time to take the next vaccine dose or booster vaccine.
It should be noted that the TBE vaccine marketed as a tick vaccine does not protect against the Lyme disease or prevent ticks from biting, but only protects against TBE, that is, tick-borne encephalitis.
Further information:
- What to do if a tick bites you (PDF 4.9 MB)
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
- Lyme disease (in Finnish)
- TBE map (in Finnish)
Henna Mäkelä
Researcher
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
tel. +358 29 524 7488
[email protected]
