Ticks are present throughout Italy and can be found in various environments, particularly rural and wooded areas, as well as tall grass and Mediterranean scrub. These small arachnids attach to hosts, including humans, and can pose a health risk due to their ability to transmit various diseases.
Tick Presence and Common Species in Italy
Italy is home to approximately 36 known tick species belonging to seven genera. They are commonly found in forests, meadows, and areas with long grass, with a higher presence often noted in mountain regions and coastal areas. Their activity depends on temperature, becoming active above 5°C, with peak activity from April to September.
The most common and medically relevant tick species in Italy include Ixodes ricinus, the wood tick, widely distributed across the country, particularly in northern Italy. Rhipicephalus sanguineus, known as the brown dog tick, is also prevalent, especially in Mediterranean regions. Another species, Dermacentor reticulatus, is also found.
Diseases Transmitted by Italian Ticks
Tick bites are generally harmless, but they can transmit infections. Several diseases are transmitted by ticks in Italy. Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia bacteria, is primarily transmitted by the wood tick (Ixodes ricinus), with symptoms including a spreading red rash, headaches, and joint pain, which can appear weeks after a bite.
Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE) is another viral infection, mainly transmitted by the wood tick, that can affect the central nervous system. Symptoms often begin with flu-like signs like high fever and headache, and can progress to neurological issues. Rickettsiosis, including Mediterranean Spotted Fever, is a bacterial infection mainly transmitted by the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Symptoms often include fever and a rash, sometimes with an ulcer at the bite site.
Prevention and What to Do After a Tick Bite
Preventing tick bites outdoors in Italy involves: Wearing long-sleeved clothing and tucking trousers into socks. Opting for light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot, and using insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin and permethrin-treated clothing. Staying on clear paths and avoiding dense vegetation, such as tall grass and bushy areas.
After returning from outdoor activities, a thorough body check for ticks is recommended, including areas like the scalp, behind the ears, and in skin folds. Showering soon after coming indoors can help wash off unattached ticks. If a tick is found attached, it should be removed promptly using fine-tipped tweezers by grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight upward with steady pressure without twisting. The bite area should then be cleaned with soap and water or an antiseptic. It is advisable to monitor the bite site and seek medical attention if a spreading rash, fever, flu-like symptoms, or joint pain develop in the weeks following a bite.