Protect yourself against tick bites
Date published:
Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease
Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures which feed on the blood of animals and sometimes people.
If you're involved in outdoor activities which take you into the countryside, parks, or gardens with wildlife such as squirrels and hedgehogs, you may be at risk of tick bites.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection which is transmitted by tick bites.
There are no vaccines to defend against tick-borne 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, three to 30 days after being bitten.
The rash looks like a bullseye on a dartboard.
You may also experience flu-like symptoms, such as:
- tiredness
- headaches
- muscle or joint pain
Contact your GP if a rash or other symptoms develop within a few weeks of a tick bite. Early treatment can prevent it developing into chronic disease.
If Lyme disease is left untreated, further health issues may develop months or even years later.
There is currently no vaccine available to prevent Lyme disease.
Preventing tick bites
Peak times for tick bites are:
- late spring
- early summer
- autumn
It's important to:
- take measures to prevent tick bites
- look out for ticks after visiting gardens, parks or the countryside
The best way of preventing Lyme disease is to avoid being bitten when you're in grassy or woodland areas known to have a high tick population.
The following might help to prevent Lyme disease:
- keep to footpaths and avoid long grass when out walking
- wear a long-sleeved shirt
- tuck your trousers into your socks
- wear light-coloured clothes (to help you spot a tick on them)
- use insect repellent
- check yourself for ticks and remove any at once
- check your children and pets for ticks
How to remove a tick
If you find a tick on your or your child's skin:
- remove it using a pair of tweezers that won't squash the tick (such as fine-tipped tweezers) or a tick removal tool (available from pet shops or vets)
- gently grip the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull steadily away from the skin without crushing the tick
- wash your skin with water and soap afterwards, then put an antiseptic cream on the skin around the bite
Do not use a lit cigarette end, a match head or substances such as alcohol or petroleum jelly to force the tick out.