Ticks are active again - how can I protect myself and my family?

Yes, ticks definitely become more active in the fall before the cold weather sets in. The main thing is to always wear closed clothing (tuck your pants into your socks, your shirt into your pants), use repellents on exposed skin, and after walks in the forest or park, carefully check yourself and your family members, especially in skin folds and under hair. If a tick does manage to attach itself, it's better not to try to remove it yourself with oil or matches - that can trigger the release of infection; just go to a clinic or urgent care center, and they'll do it properly.

The most reliable approach is to inspect yourself and your loved ones after spending time outdoors, paying special attention to armpits, the groin area, behind the ears, and the scalp. Ticks don't bite right away - they search for a comfortable spot - so if you notice the parasite before it latches on, the problem is solved easily. If it's already attached, you need to remove it correctly by twisting or pulling it out completely with the head intact. Use tweezers rather than squashing it or yanking it suddenly. After removal, treat the bite area with alcohol or iodine.

For prevention, DEET-based repellents work well - apply them to clothing and exposed skin before going outside. Plus wear the right clothing: tuck your pants into your socks, wear closed shoes and a long-sleeved shirt - it sounds weird for summer, but when there's a tick threat it really does help. If you're planning to spend a lot of time in the forest or at a dacha, it makes sense to treat your clothes with an acaricide - a special product that kills ticks on contact.

When you get home, wash your clothes in hot water and check your pets - they often bring ticks into the house. If ticks in your region carry dangerous diseases, after a bite it's worth consulting a doctor and getting tested - better to be safe than sorry.