Ticks & Lyme Disease

Ticks

Ticks are small flat-bodied spider-like mites that live on blood from mammals, such as deer and sheep. They can also attach themselves to humans, as they walk through long grass, bracken or heathland which the ticks inhabit. Most tick bites are harmless but occasionally the tick carries a bacterium that causes Lyme Disease.

Lyme Disease

The earliest and most common symptom of Lyme disease is a pink or red circular rash that develops around the area of the bite, 3 to 30 days after being bitten.

The rash often has a pink/red centre and outer ring, hence described as a ‘bull’s-eye’ rash. Early symptoms may resemble flu, with swollen glands near the bite, mild headaches, aching muscles and joints, and tiredness.

If you develop any of these symptoms and you suspect that a tick has bitten you, inform your doctor. Lyme Disease is treatable with antibiotics and the earlier it is diagnosed, the better.

For protection against ticks, keep to the paths, wear wellingtons or waders, long trousers and long-sleeved shirts. Check your clothing and exposed skin for ticks at regular intervals, and at the end of the day completely check over your body. Remove any ticks as soon as possible by grasping them close to the skin with tweezers, or better still a tick remover, and twist out anti-clockwise. Further info at:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Lyme-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx