Tick sprays

Most ticks are considered parasites - they carry diseases that can infect humans or pets. In addition to diseases, the tick bite itself is also not very pleasant, as it can cause skin irritation and even fever. Therefore, we often try to protect ourselves, our loved ones and pets from attacks by arthropod parasites, and an effective tick spray can help with this.

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Indications for use of tick spray

Tick sprays can have different effects, which allows them to be divided into categories:

• acaricides – drugs that kill ticks (cause paralysis of the parasite’s body and immobilize it);
• repellents – products that repel insects (have an unpleasant odor for ticks);
• combined acaricidal-repellent agents - consist of at least two substances, one of which kills ticks, and the other prevents their attack.

Tick sprays are mainly used for preventive purposes, to prevent bites of blood-sucking insects.

Names of tick sprays

Spray name	Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics	Method of administration and dosage	Storage conditions Best before date
Leopard	Veterinary drug, acts by contact on various insects, including ticks. Has the property of accumulating in the skin and sebaceous glands.	Bars is applied once: the effect lasts for 30-60 days.	Store at room temperature for up to two years from date of production.
Bolfo	Veterinary product based on propoxur. Moderately toxic drug, does not have a systemic effect.	Apply to the skin once a week, based on the proportion of 2 ml of the product (4 full presses) per 1 m² of skin surface.	In a dark place, at room temperature, up to 5 years.
Frontline	Veterinary combination drug based on fipronil, copolyvidone and isopropanol.	It is used externally for spraying. The treatment lasts up to 5 weeks.	At room temperature, up to 3 years.
Moskitol	Dual-action product: repels and destroys ticks and other insects.	Treat clothes, dry them and put them on. The effect of the sprayed preparation is up to 2 weeks.	At normal temperature, up to three years.
Gardex	A product based on aromatic substances and essential oils. It acts as a repellent, from 2 to 5 hours in a row.	Gardex is sprayed onto the palm of the hand, then applied to exposed areas: arms, shins, neck. The product cannot be rubbed in.	Does not require special storage conditions. Shelf life is up to 2 years.
Dana	Insectoacaricidal veterinary product based on diazinon. Destroys skin parasites, has anti-inflammatory action.	Animals are treated once a month, applying the preparation to the withers.	Store in a dry place for up to 2 years.
Beafar	A veterinary drug whose active ingredient is pyrethrin.	Spray onto skin from a distance of 20 cm. The procedure can be repeated after 3 days.	Store in a well-ventilated area at normal temperature for up to 5 years.
Hartz	Insectoacaricide for veterinary use. Has a detrimental effect on ticks and also protects against their attacks.	Apply to the animal's skin along the spine. The duration of action is one month, after which, if necessary, the procedure is repeated.	Store for 2 years at room temperature.
Off extreme	Repellent, repels various insects, including ticks.	Spray onto clothing until slightly damp. Frequency of treatment: once every three days.	Store under normal conditions, away from children. Shelf life is 3 years.

Use during pregnancy

Acaricides (insecticides) and repellents are contraindicated for use during pregnancy. The active components of such preparations are toxic to varying degrees, so it is not worth the risk. Ingestion of poisons can lead to premature birth, spontaneous abortion, and intrauterine fetal malformations.

If another family member is treating the area with tick spray, all safety precautions must be taken to ensure that the pregnant woman does not accidentally inhale the spray fumes.

Contraindications to the use of tick sprays

• Pregnancy and lactation period.
• Children under 3 years of age (there are special anti-tick products for children).
• Respiratory diseases, skin diseases, allergic predisposition of the body.

When treating animals, the following are contraindications:

• kittens and puppies are less than 3 months old;
• systemic diseases, high temperature in the animal;
• sometimes – pregnancy.

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Side effects

Among the side effects, the most common are allergic reactions, which are manifested by the following symptoms:

• redness of the skin;
• rash, swelling, itching;
• conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis;
• neurological symptoms (irritability, depressive states).

In animals, vomiting and difficulty breathing may occur.

Overdose

If the recommended doses are exceeded and the sprays are used incorrectly, an overdose may occur. If this happens, all the signs of poisoning may be observed:

• dyspepsia (diarrhea, vomiting, headache);
• salivation, increased sweating;
• convulsions.

In case of overdose, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

If an animal has overdosed on the spray, it may show up as frequent shallow breathing, salivation, and general anxiety. Sometimes it is enough to thoroughly wash the animal with clean water for the overdose symptoms to disappear.

Interactions with other drugs

It is not possible to use several repellents and acaricides at the same time, this can lead to significant intoxication and increased side effects.

To ensure that the tick spray is as effective as possible, it should be applied as follows:

• for treating people – treat clothing and visible areas of the body, avoiding the face area;
• for processing animals - they process the animal's wool and bedding.

When spraying, it should be taken into account that the concentration of the active component in the spray is lower than in drops or ointments. Therefore, the aerosol consumption should be higher.

It is better to buy tick spray in reputable stores or pharmacies, otherwise there is a high probability of buying a fake.