Premium Nahrungsergänzungsmittel | artgerecht

Tick Bite Borrelia – Symptoms & Treatment

Borrelia are bacteria transmitted through tick bites that can cause Lyme disease. Early recognition and treatment are essential for a full recovery.

Regular tips about health Regular tips about health

Things worth knowing about "Tick bite Borrelia"

Borrelia are bacteria transmitted through tick bites that can cause Lyme disease. Early recognition and treatment are essential for a full recovery.

What are Borrelia and how are they transmitted through tick bites?

Borrelia (scientifically Borrelia burgdorferi and related species) are spiral-shaped bacteria belonging to the family of spirochetes. They are primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected hard ticks (mainly Ixodes ricinus in Europe). Not every tick bite leads to an infection – the risk increases significantly when the tick has been attached for more than 12 to 24 hours.

Causes and Transmission

Borrelia live in the gut of ticks and are transmitted into human skin during the feeding process. Key facts about transmission:

The tick usually needs to be attached for several hours before Borrelia are transmitted.
In Central Europe, depending on the region, 5–35 % of ticks are infected with Borrelia.
High-risk areas include forests, meadows, and shrubland, especially in spring and autumn.
Direct person-to-person transmission does not occur.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

The disease caused by Borrelia is called Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis). It progresses through several stages:

Stage 1: Early Localized Infection (days to weeks after the bite)

Erythema migrans: A ring-shaped, expanding skin rash around the bite site – the most characteristic sign of Borrelia infection.
General malaise, fatigue, fever, and muscle aches.

Stage 2: Early Disseminated Infection (weeks to months after the bite)

Involvement of the nervous system (Lyme neuroborreliosis): paralysis, numbness, facial nerve palsy.
Cardiac complications such as heart rhythm disturbances.
Joint inflammation (Lyme arthritis).

Stage 3: Late Disseminated Infection (months to years after the bite)

Chronic joint inflammation, especially in large joints such as the knee.
Chronic neurological symptoms.
Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans: Chronic skin changes, typically affecting the extremities.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Lyme disease is based on a combination of clinical assessment and laboratory tests:

Antibody tests (ELISA and Western blot): Detection of antibodies against Borrelia in the blood.
If Lyme neuroborreliosis is suspected: lumbar puncture to examine the cerebrospinal fluid.
A typical erythema migrans rash alone is sufficient for diagnosis – antibody tests are often still negative in the early stage.

Treatment

Treatment is carried out with antibiotics. The choice of antibiotic and duration of treatment depend on the stage of the disease and the organs affected:

Early stage (erythema migrans): Doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime orally for 14–21 days.
Lyme neuroborreliosis or cardiac involvement: Ceftriaxone intravenously for 14–28 days.
Lyme arthritis: Oral or intravenous antibiotics depending on severity.

When treated early, the prognosis is very good. Late-stage disease can be more difficult to manage.

Prevention After a Tick Bite

There is no approved vaccine against Borrelia in Europe. Prevention is therefore especially important:

Wear long clothing and apply tick repellent when spending time outdoors.
Check the body thoroughly for ticks after every outdoor activity.
Remove ticks as quickly as possible using tick tweezers or a tick removal card – without twisting or crushing.
Monitor the bite site over the following weeks for any redness or rash.
Seek medical advice promptly if symptoms develop.

References

Robert Koch Institute (RKI): Lyme Borreliosis – RKI Advisory. Available at: https://www.rki.de (2023).
Stanek G. et al.: Lyme borreliosis. Lancet. 2012;379(9814):461–473. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60103-7.
Shapiro E.D.: Lyme Disease. New England Journal of Medicine. 2014;370(18):1724–1731. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMcp1314325.

Building Blocks for a Healthy Life

As an integrated manufacturer, we develop & produce evidence-based, patented, and non-patented formulations. We work exclusively with plant and natural extracts according to the strictest purity & quality standards.
The combination of science & modern technology with the laws of nature creates solutions consistently tailored to humans – for the highest good: health.