We're on holiday in North Yorkshire with the DCs. On a family walk in a rural coastal area, one DC, a mid-teen, was a little way ahead. As the rest of us rounded a corner on the path, we spotted them coming through some long grass and wildflowers and rejoining the path. Needless to say they'd been for a wee behind a gorse bush!
After walking on a little while, I suddenly remembered about ticks, and we all stopped to check the DC over and brush them down. At this point, there was no sign of any ticks. We did the same on returning to the car, and again on returning to the holiday cottage. Still no sign of any ticks.
It wasn't until bedtime that the DC found 3 of the little b* attached!!!
Out in the middle of nowhere at night, we had to get them off with ordinary tweezers, which isn't ideal. Luckily it seemed to go ok, perhaps because we'd found them reasonably quickly. We washed the area with soap and water, and applied antiseptic. We usually carry a tick removing tool but it had been lost on our last trip and not replaced.
Not all ticks are infected but we now have an anxious wait to see if the DC develops any symptoms which could indicate Lyme Disease, at which point it would mean tests and extensive antibiotics. It can take a few days, a month or even longer to show up. This can sometimes be a target-style rash around the bites, flu-like symptoms of headache, fever, joint pain or fatigue, or specific joint or nerve problems.
We're all kicking ourselves, including the DC, as we know ticks are a risk. We usually avoid going off paths into long undergrowth especially. It's the first time one of us has been 'got', despite living rurally and lots of time spent outdoors. In the scorching weather, we'd got shorts on rather than trousers tucked into boot socks or wellies.
Do educate yourself and your DCs. Pets also need to be checked regularly. Ticks can be hard to spot, often just the size of a poppy seed, until they have engorged themselves. Don't look at images of that if you're squeamish! There's good advice on the NHS, NICE and Lyme Disease Action websites. Tick removing tools are available for less than £5 in camping shops and online, and are easy to carry in a rucksack or bag. There's even a credit card style one for purse or wallet. Fine point tweezers or a piece of cotton can also be used.
Ticks are pretty widespread but especially so in some areas.
Be careful out there.
And all fingers crossed for our DC very welcome!