Residents of the UK are being urged to exercise caution when exploring the great outdoors due to a notable health concern. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has released advice on safeguarding oneself against tick bites.

Ticks, tiny creatures resembling spiders, thrive in dense vegetation and often latch onto animals or humans as they move through grassy areas.

These parasites are capable of transmitting viruses and infections during their blood meals, with Lyme disease being the most prevalent risk. In a social media update on X, the UKHSA reminded nature enthusiasts: “Heading into the wild? Make sure you’re well-prepared…”

“Got sturdy walking shoes? Ample hydration? And awareness of which critters to look out for? Ticks should be on that list.”

An infographic from the agency detailed protective measures against ticks, emphasizing various safety tips such as:

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is triggered by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, predominantly spread to humans through infected tick bites. However, it’s important to note that only about 10% of ticks in the UK are carriers of Lyme disease.

The sooner you spot the signs of Lyme disease, the sooner you can seek the treatment you need.

Symptoms

According to the NHS, a circular or oval-shaped rash around a tick bite is an early symptom of Lyme disease in some people.

This rash usually appears within one to four weeks but it can appear up to three months after being bitten. It can last for several weeks.

“The rash may be flat, or slightly raised, and look pink, red, or purple when it appears on white skin,” the NHS explains.

“It can be harder to see the rash on brown and black skin and it may look like a bruise.”

Other common symptoms include:

• A high temperature
• Feeling hot and shivery
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pain
• Tiredness and loss of energy

Some people with Lyme disease can experience severe side effects, which is more likely if treatment is delayed.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says these can include:

• Severe headaches and neck stiffness
• Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face)
• Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly the knees and other large joints.
• Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones
• Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat (Lyme carditis)
• Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath
• Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
• Nerve pain
• Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet

To safely remove a tick the NHS advice is: