Prevent Lyme disease

Lyme borreliosis is an insidious infectious disease that is transmitted by tick bites. In certain regions of Switzerland, up to 50 per cent of ticks carry Borrelia bacteria, which cause Lyme borreliosis, and 10,000 people are infected every year. It is therefore advisable to protect yourself from tick bites as far as possible. The best way to do this is with an effective, natural insect repellent.

What is Lyme borreliosis?

For the sake of simplicity, it is often simply called Lyme disease or Lyme borreliosis. It is the most common infectious disease transmitted by tick bites. The pathogens are bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, also known as borrelia. In Switzerland, around 5 to 30 per cent of ticks are infected with the bacterium, in some regions even 50 per cent, and around 10,000 people are affected by an infection every year. However, there are also indications that, in addition to ticks, mosquitoes are also possible carriers of borrelia in rare cases. The consequences of Lyme disease can be very serious. Lyme borreliosis is treated conventionally with antibiotics.

Diagnosis often difficult

Tick bites are often found in the back of the knees, armpits or on the abdomen (belly button), but can occur on any part of the body. The first signs of Lyme disease can be reddening of the skin and/or flu-like symptoms. A typical Lyme disease symptom, which occurs in half of those affected, is erythema migrans. However, the course of the disease can vary greatly and the clinical picture can be diverse, which is why diagnosis is often difficult and the symptoms are difficult to differentiate from other diseases. The available tests are not always reliable or Lyme disease is not even considered because a tick bite has not been noticed or has long been forgotten. As a result, optimal treatment can quickly become protracted and the situation can deteriorate.

Three stages

Stage I:

Characterised by migratory erythema and borrelia lymphocytoma. The travelling erythema appears a few days to weeks after a tick bite. It is a ring-shaped reddening of the skin, which is usually paler in the centre than at the edges. The red ring gradually moves outwards. Borrelia lymphocytoma is also a skin change. It occurs within the first two months after a Borrelia infection. Small blue-red nodules appear, which occur mainly in children and adolescents and in women.

Stage II:

A few weeks to months after infection, the infection spreads to the affected part of the body. Blood and lymph vessels of various organs, the musculoskeletal system, the nervous system or even the heart can be affected.

Stage III:

Fortunately, this stage is only observed in a small number of patients and occurs months to years after the initial infection. For example, chronic pain (rheumatic pain, joint, head or nerve pain) and chronic fatigue occur. Those affected can be severely restricted in their quality of life.

Prevention is better

In contrast to tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), there is no vaccination against Lyme disease. However, it is best to prevent tick bites (and mosquito bites) as far as possible. Long trouser legs and sleeves as well as headgear are recommended for outdoor activities in the forest. Afterwards, you should always check your body immediately for ticks (also paying attention to “hiding places” such as hair, navel, genital area, etc.). If a tick is found, it should be removed professionally, the area should be disinfected and the date and site of the bite should be noted.

Natural, effective insect repellent

However, additional, reliable protection for long clothing and body control is highly recommended in the form of a natural insect repellent with the ingredient IR3535®, which keeps ticks, mosquitoes and other insect pests away. It does not contain diethyltoluamide (DEET), which is a chemical insect repellent with side effects, but is skin-friendly and still offers long-lasting and reliable protection for up to 14 hours. This natural-based insect repellent keeps ticks and other insects away with an insect-repellent scent. People, on the other hand, like the delicate, floral fragrance. The ingredient IR3535® is based on the natural substance ß-alanine (an amino acid). Although IR3535® keeps the insects away, it has no insecticidal effect, so it does not harm the insects. The long duration of action of up to 14 hours can be guaranteed thanks to a patented technology called STAYTEC™. The ingredients are obtained from seaweed and mushroom extracts. Unlike many conventional repellents, the insect repellent is therefore not quickly absorbed by the skin or evaporates in the sun, but the effect lasts for a long time. The product was subjected to two intensive dermatological tests and passed both with flying colours. It has been proven that it has no irritating, sensitising or allergic potential on the skin and is also suitable for sensitive skin. The product can be recommended for the whole family (except babies up to one year old). This way you can enjoy your outdoor adventures more and protect yourself not only from Lyme disease, but also from TBE and annoying mosquito bites.