Be Tick Aware!

Ticks are nasty little creatures that commonly lurk in long grass, bracken and sheep pasture land and they love a warm blooded passer by be it livestock, dog or human.

At a time of year when ticks are more prevalent, we’re likely to be wearing shorts and the vegetation is high, it’s important to be tick aware.

🪲What are ticks?

Ticks are small, spider-like creatures that feed on the blood of animals, including people. The size of a tick can vary, with a larva being as small as a tiny freckle, and fully fed females similar in size to a baked bean.

🪲Where do you find ticks?

Ticks survive in many habitats, but

prefer moist areas with leaf litter

or longer grass, like in woodland,

grassland, moorland, heathland and

some urban parks and gardens.

🪲Ticks don’t fly or jump

They wait on vegetation for a host to pass by, and then climb on. They bite and attach to the skin and feed on blood for several days, before dropping off. Ticks are found throughout the year, but are most active between spring and autumn.

🪲Main health risks

Ticks can sometimes transmit microbes that may cause human diseases such as Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), though TBE is rare in the UK. It is important to be tick aware and see your GP promptly for diagnosis and treatment.

🪲Symptoms to be aware of

if you recognise the symptoms of tick-borne diseases which can include:

*A flu-like illness, fatigue and muscle and joint pain.

*A ‘bullseye’ red rash which can appear 1-4 weeks after the bite.

*Persistent headache, confusion or sensitivity to bright light.

*You may not always remember being bitten by a tick, so if you have spent time outdoors and develop any of these symptoms, seek advice from your GP or dial NHS 111

*Lyme disease can be treated with a course of antibiotics.

🪲Avoiding ticks

*Walk on clearly defined paths to avoid brushing against vegetation.

*Wear long trousers and long sleeves.

*Wear light-coloured clothes so ticks can be spotted and brushed off.

*Use repellents such as DEET

🪲What to do after every walk

*Make it a habit to check your clothes and body regularly for ticks when outdoors and again when you get home.

*Check your children and pets as well.

*Areas that ticks may frequently be found include skin folds, armpits, groin, waistband area, back of the neck and hairline.

*Data from UKHSA’s Tick Surveillance Scheme shows that adults are commonly bitten on the legs, whilst children are commonly bitten on the head or neck area. It is important to

remember, however, that bites can occur on any part of the body and more than one tick can be attached at one time.

🪲What to do if you find a tick

*Remove ticks as soon as possible

*The safest way to remove a tick is to use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool

*Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible pull upwards slowly and firmly, as mouthparts left in the skin can cause a local infection

•Clean the bite area with antibacterial wash/soap and water, and monitor it for several weeks for any changes

*Contact your GP ASAP if you begin to feel poorly with flu-like symptoms or develop a spreading circular red rash. Remember to tell them you were bitten by a tick or have recently spent time outdoors.