Lyme Disease
If you’re bitten by a tick, don’t ignore it - tell an instructor straight away! The bite may be painless but if it carries Lyme Disease, then long term it could be significant. For expert advice see: https://lymediseaseuk.com/
Lyme Disease information:
The primary advice for Lyme disease revolves around prevention, proper tick removal, and seeking prompt medical treatment if symptoms appear. Early treatment is highly effective, while delayed treatment increases the risk of serious complications affecting the joints, heart, and nervous system.
Prevention and tick-bite avoidance
Be aware of where ticks live: Ticks are most commonly found in wooded, grassy, and moorland areas, but can also be in urban parks and gardens. They are most active from March to October, but can be present year-round.
Cover up: When walking outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck your trousers into your socks to prevent ticks from crawling onto your skin.
Use insect repellent: Apply a tick repellent to your skin and clothing.
Stick to paths: Avoid walking through long grass and overgrown vegetation, where ticks often lie in wait.
Perform regular checks: After spending time outdoors, check yourself for ticks. Look especially in skin folds like the armpits, groin, and waistband.
Safe tick removal
If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection.
Use the right tool: Use fine-tipped tweezers or a specialized tick-removal tool.
Grasp firmly: Grab the tick as close to the skin's surface as you can.
Pull steadily upward: Pull the tick straight up with firm, steady pressure. Do not twist, jerk, or crush the tick, as this can cause it to release infected fluids into the bite site.
Clean the bite: After removal, clean the area with soap and water or an antiseptic wipe.
Do not use home remedies: Avoid burning the tick or using substances like petroleum jelly, which can agitate the tick and increase the risk of infection.
Recognising symptoms and when to see a doctor
Watch for a rash: The most common early symptom is a circular or "bull's-eye" shaped rash, known as erythema migrans, that expands from the bite site. However, not everyone develops a rash.
Look for flu-like symptoms: Other early signs can include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches.
Seek medical attention: Contact your GP or call NHS 111 if you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms within a few weeks of a tick bite. Make sure to tell them you were bitten by a tick.
Treatment for Lyme disease
Oral antibiotics: If Lyme disease is suspected, a GP will prescribe a course of antibiotics, typically for 21 days.
Complete the course: It is crucial to finish the entire course of antibiotics, even if you start feeling better.
Post-treatment symptoms: A small number of people may experience long-term symptoms like fatigue, aches, and loss of energy even after antibiotic treatment, known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). If symptoms persist, speak to your doctor.
The diagnostic process
Physical examination: A bull's-eye rash is a clear sign and can be enough for a doctor to start treatment immediately.
Blood tests: If no rash is present, blood tests can be used. However, these may not be accurate in the very early stages, so you may need a re-test after a few weeks.