Watch out for TICKS

[Cait73]

I'm right now being treated for early stage Lyme Disease after a tick bite 3 weeks ago

Ticks are common but I've always just removed them and I guess I've become complacent

I left a tick in my leg overnight thinking it was another bite that had scabbed over - when I couldn't pull it out the next morning I realised it was a very small tick. Grabbed the tick twister, got it out and thought no more of it

Two weeks later I found myself plagued with really nasty headaches and I was so tired I could barely get up, this was worse than normal tiredness.

Then a large "rash" appeared on my leg exactly where the tick had been removed, I joined the dots and got to the gp today. Thankfully it's early stages so a months worth of antibiotics should clear this up

But please please PLEASE be tick aware - wear long clothes sprayed with DEET insect repellent, stick to designated paths, check yourself your children and your dogs as soon as you get home. Remove ticks as soon as possible using a specific tick remover, wipe with an alcohol swab.

Check your body again and again, shower if possible. Know the symptoms of Lyme Disease and go to your gp asap early infections are easily treated.

Ticks are everywhere and with us all spending more time outside with the lovely weather and summer holidays I just wanted to raise awareness.

Thanks for the warning. Sending you best wishes 💐
Dog got an infected tick bite in Feb 😳 she had to have antibiotics.
Any recommendations for a tick remover?

We live quite rurally so ticks are common round here. I got my tick remover from the local vets, it works really well on humans too!

@hoochyhag these are the best tick removers £3 from Amazon vets also sell them and thank you, I seem to have more energy today so hopefully it's onwards and upwards

@Chickenkorma64 we live at the foot of Dartmoor but like I said, I've become complacent

Hopefully the EM rash will stop growing now, I have all the typical Lyme disease symptoms and feel pretty awful

It's safe to say I really hate ticks

They’re a nightmare, we get them often in north Hampshire, I carry a tick remover with me everywhere. Hope you’re feeling better soon. Neighbour has just had antibiotics for Lyme and they made skin super sensitive to the sun!

You can send any ticks you catch to Porton Down, where they are studying them.

My dd was bitten by one but we never saw the tick because she had obviously scratched it out. I am so wary of them now! She had to have 3 weeks of antibiotics. Not easy when you're 4!!

Good god! That's horrific! I do hope you're better very soon OP. Thanks for the warning.

@wonderstuff this particular tick was the size of a freckle, tick removers are fab for sheep ticks but they're useless for deer ticks, I had to prize this one out very carefully with tiny tweezers 🤮