Tick protection

How to protect your child from the consequences of a tick bite

Text last updated: 2023-07-04

Attention, tick alert!

With the warm season, ticks become active again. Children in particular like to spend a lot of time outdoors. This increases the risk of being bitten by a tick in the meadow or forest and becoming infected with Lyme disease bacteria or TBE viruses. Read here what you need to know about vaccination and what other ways there are to protect your child from the consequences of a tick bite.

Health risks from tick bites

The nasty little bloodsuckers usually sit in tall grass or bushes and like to fall on the skin. They attach themselves there and can transmit Lyme disease or tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).

Borreliosis is often difficult to detect. Symptoms of the disease often only appear weeks after the tick bite. If Lyme disease is detected early, the disease can be treated effectively with antibiotics.The situation is different with TBE. This is a viral infection that leads to inflammation of the meninges and spinal cord. Only the symptoms, such as fever or pain, can be treated. The pathogen itself cannot be combated. It can only be prevented by vaccination.

Vaccination: yes or no?

Vaccination is considered the most effective protection against the consequences of an infection with TBE. This applies to anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors and is particularly important for young children. This is because they like to play a lot in nature and usually close to the ground.

The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends vaccination, especially if you live in a so-called risk area or want to go on vacation there. You can view a map of tick risk areas at the Robert Koch Institute. This makes it easier for you to assess the risk.The vaccination is considered to be well tolerated. The STIKO recommends it as the safest protection against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) for children aged 12 months and over. There are two approved vaccines. Children may experience a fever for a few days as a side effect. This side effect decreases as children get older.Three vaccinations are required to build up long-term protection that lasts for around five years. The protective effect begins after the second vaccination. The vaccinations are usually administered over a period of twelve months. If necessary, it is possible to obtain full vaccination protection within five weeks.The Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung, BZgA, recommends that parents seek advice from their pediatrician's practice and weigh up the risks and benefits with a healthcare professional.

Cost of the vaccination

The cost of a TBE vaccination is between 30 and 50 euros. If you live in a "risk area", your health insurance will cover the cost of the vaccination. This may also apply if you want to go on vacation in a risk region. It is best to clarify this question with your health insurance provider before you travel.

The best precaution is to avoid tick bites as far as possible

A tick vaccination is only effective against TBE, a vaccination against borriolosis is not possible. You should therefore always protect your child from tick bites if possible. These tips can help:

Suitable clothing

Make sure you wear suitable clothing: long pants and long-sleeved tops that fit snugly can prevent ticks from getting onto your child's skin. It is best to pull the socks over the pants.

Light-colored clothing

If your child is wearing light-colored clothing, ticks that have fallen off will be easier to see.

Sturdy shoes

Your child should wear sturdy shoes that are closed on all sides.

Regular scanning

If your child has been outside, you should check them regularly for ticks, especially after an outing in densely overgrown areas. Pay particular attention to areas such as the scalp, neck, armpits, belly button, groin area and behind the ears.

Prevent

You can also use insect repellent lotions as a preventative measure. Apply the product to the uncovered areas of your child's skin. Please follow the manufacturer's instructions and check whether the product is suitable for your child's age.

Control pets

Don't forget to check your pets for ticks. Ticks that have not yet attached themselves can easily get from the animal to the child.

What should I do if my child has been bitten by a tick?

Remove the tick as quickly as possible using tick tweezers, a tick card or tweezers.
Important: Avoid crushing or twisting the tick. This could cause the tick's body to burst and bacteria could enter your child's body.
Grab the tick by the head, as close to the skin as possible, and slowly pull the tick out.
It is best to mark the bite site with a ballpoint pen and observe whether there are any skin changes such as redness at the site over the next few days. If this is the case, or if you have a fever or pain as a result of a tick bite, you should consult a doctor.

Where can we find help and advice?

For questions about tick protection and possible vaccination, you can contact your pediatrician's practice.

Information on vaccination against TBE can be found on the website of the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA).

Answers to frequently asked questions about TBE vaccination can be found on the Robert Koch Institute website.

The University Hospital Bonn has created a helpful video on how to remove ticks correctly

You can download and print out a leaflet from the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) on protection against ticks and how to remove them.

"Why I have to watch out for ticks" is the title of a children's booklet from the Borreliose und FSME Bund Deutschland e.V. It can be downloaded free of charge and is ideal for reading aloud.