The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has shared importance guidance on how to stay safe from ticks, which can be dangerous
Brits have been advised to take three precautionary measures before embarking on an autumn walk this year due to a significant health threat. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued guidance on protecting yourself from ticks.
Ticks are minuscule, arachnid-like creatures that live in long undergrowth and attach themselves to animals, including humans, when they pass through tall grass. They are becoming increasingly common in areas of the UK, primarily due to growing deer populations.
While feeding, they can transmit viruses and infections that cause illness, with Lyme disease being the most common. In a message posted on X, the UKHSA said: “Heading on a woodland walk? Be tick aware and don’t forget the essentials.”
It encouraged people to ensure they pack:
- Long sleeves and long trousers
- Repellent
- Tick remover
The agency added: “Ticks are common in grassy, wooded areas, so check yourself regularly during and after your walk.” In an infographic, it outlined what to do if you discover a tick on your body.
What to do if you’ve been bitten by a tick
“Remove ticks as soon as you find them,” it advised. “If you have a tick removal device, follow its instructions or use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers.”
You must then grip the tick “as close to the skin as you can”. The UKHSA explained: “Pull upwards firmly, making sure all of the tick is removed.”
After a tick bite, it’s important to clean the area with soap and water, and monitor it for a few weeks for “any changes” warned the health authority. “Look out for a spreading bullseye rash, which is a common symptom of Lyme disease three to 30 days after being bitten,” it said.
“If you become unwell, for example with a spreading circular rash, flu-like symptoms, nerve pain or a droop on one or both sides of the face within a few weeks of a tick bite, call your GP practice or NHS 111.”
Other potential symptoms of Lyme disease include:
- A high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Tiredness and loss of energy
The NHS cautions that some people who are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease continue to have symptoms, like tiredness, aches and loss of energy, that can last for years. “These symptoms are often compared to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome,” it says.
“It’s not clear why this happens to some people and not others. This means there’s also no agreed treatment.”
You should consult a doctor if your symptoms persist, or do not improve, after treatment with antibiotics. To minimise the risk of being bitten by a tick in the first place, the NHS advises you to:
- Cover your skin while walking outdoors and tuck your trousers into your socks
- Use insect repellent on your clothes and skin – products containing DEET are best
- Stay on clear paths whenever possible
- Wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to spot and brush off