Does coconut oil help against ticks? Information for humans, dogs and cats

Summertime is also tick time. The little bloodsuckers lurk for prey in fields, forests and meadows. This includes not only humans, but also dogs, cats and other animals. A tick bite can cause serious health problems. In addition to chemical agents, natural alternatives are also increasingly being used to protect against bloodsuckers. Coconut oil repels ticks and is also used for care. Below is some information about the application and mode of action of this natural product.

Tick ​​alarm

Especially in the months from March to October, the blood-sucking arachnids are up to mischief and make life difficult for humans and animals alike. They lurk near the ground, in bushes and undergrowth or in tall grass for their prey. A tick bite should never be simply dismissed because these parasites can transmit dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease or early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE).

In order to avoid the bites of the bloodsuckers, it is important to properly protect yourself and your four-legged friends before every outing in the woods and meadows. Chemical agents do not always have to be used. Under certain circumstances, these can be incompatible with humans and animals and side effects can occur such as

• itching
• inflammatory skin changes
• Gastrointestinal upset

In addition, with regular use, ticks become resistant to such agents over time. Good alternatives to the “chemical club” can be the use of natural agents. Coconut oil has proven itself to repel ticks. This not only smells pleasant, but also cares and naturally helps with tick bites.

Coconut oil against ticks

Coconut oil is also known as coconut fat or coconut butter. It is mainly used in the kitchen for baking, roasting and deep-frying and for caring for skin and hair. But it can do even more, is a healthy source of energy and is also used to treat irritated skin and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
We obtained the natural oil from the white pulp (copra) of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.). It contains up to 90 percent saturated fat, of which

• up to 10 percent caprylic acid - a natural insecticide for dissolving the chitin shells of insects
• 10 percent capric acid - works against fungal, virus and bacterial infestation
• up to 60 percent lauric acid with an antimicrobial effect - kills bacteria, viruses and fungi

Lauric acid is a medium-chain fatty acid that ticks don't like at all. Experiments show that even the use of a ten percent lauric acid solution 81 to 100 percent of the ticks left the surface treated with it.
The scent and ingredients of coconut oil have a deterrent effect on ticks. Treated body parts are avoided by them. If a small bloodsucker has already bitten itself, it will fall off after a short time after treatment with the oil.

The action of chemical insect sprays is based in principle on the active ingredients Icaridin and DEET, as well as on certain fatty acids such as lauric acid. Since this is also contained in large quantities in coconut oil, this is a good home remedy for Tick ​​repellent and thus for preventive protection against tick bites. The product is free of any side effects and can therefore also be used on babies, toddlers, young animals and puppies.

tip: Coconut oil also helps against fleas, lice, and mites and is a natural de-wormer for dogs and cats.

Use in humans

Coconut oil is ideal for preventing tick bites in humans. but it also helps with bites that have already been taken. Before every foray through nature, the areas of skin to be protected against ticks should be rubbed with a portion of coconut oil. The amount depends on the area of ​​the body to be treated. Usually the agent can be applied over a large area. At the same time, the skin is cared for and protected from the sun.

The coconut fat melts at temperatures above 23 ° C. It should therefore be rubbed between the hands until it becomes liquid. The oil can then be spread over the skin like a body lotion.

Since ticks always prefer warm and moist areas of skin, the following parts of the body should always be particularly well protected:

• ankle
• Lower leg
• Back of the knees
• hands
• Wrists
• poor
• Armpits
• neck
• Ears
• Head, but also
• Shoes and socks

In the head area of ​​small children, the ears, neck and hairline are particularly at risk. However, you should not only rely on the protective agent, but after each time outdoors it is necessary to search the body for ticks. Coconut oil usually offers protection against ticks for up to six hours. It is therefore advisable to apply the oil several times a day.

Note: The coconut oil has a light UV protection with a sun protection factor of 4. However, it is not a substitute for sunscreen in strong sun.

Protection for dogs and cats

Dogs and cats are also very susceptible to tick bites. Dogs can develop babesiosis (dog malaria) and borreliosis as a result. The trade has various spot-on preparations, i.e. anti-tick products with chemical active ingredients, on hand. However, these are not good for all animals. Native coconut oil is better suited as a protective agent against ticks. it can easily be rubbed into the fur, creating a protective coat that keeps the ticks away. Many four-legged friends love the smell of the oil and, by the way, it is not dangerous if the fur is licked off.
Depending on the size of the animal, a pea to walnut-sized piece of coconut fat is sufficient. This is heated between the palms of the hands and then rubbed into the fur. They also need special protection

• Ears
• head
• neck
• belly
• throat
• legs
• Inside legs

But be careful when rubbing it in so that nothing gets into the eyes. At first, the coat can be a little greasy. However, after a few hours, nothing of it is visible any more. It can be problematic with cats. These are not so easy to smear into the fur. Due to their constant need to clean, they can lick the oil from their fur. They should therefore be distracted with games, petting or treats until they move in. It should be used on four-legged friends several times until complete protection against ticks has developed.

• once a day for two to three weeks
• then twice a week and finally
• then once every four to six weeks

However, the body must be checked for the presence of ticks after every walk.

Coconut oil as a tick bite treatment

After being bitten by a tick, it is important to remove it as quickly as possible. The pathogens need between two and twelve hours to get into the bloodstream. The blood sucker must be removed completely with its lancing tool. A special tick tweezer should always be used for this. The procedure is then as follows:

• Do not squeeze the tick
• otherwise bacteria will get into the wound
• Grasp the animal with the tick tweezers directly above the skin
• Pull out the tick by turning it gently and slowly
• do not tear or pull straight
• The head can tear off and remain in the wound
• then treat the wound with the oil
• this kills all pathogens

If the puncture site is red, swollen, hot, and painful, a doctor should definitely be consulted. Vet to be visited.

tip: Only virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil with a certified organic seal against ticks should be used. Products from “Dr. Georg "and" Rapunzel ". Discount goods can contain harmful substances such as mineral oil and plasticizers.