Health News
What you need to know
Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, but not every tick carries it, and not every tick bite leads to infection. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia bacteria, spread through the bite of infected ticks (most commonly Ixodes ticks, often called deer ticks or sheep ticks depending on region).
Where is it found?
Lyme disease occurs in many parts of:
the United Kingdom
Europe
North America
parts of Asia
In the UK, risk is higher in grassy/heathland/woodland areas and places with deer populations.
How ticks spread Lyme disease
A tick usually needs to be attached for many hours before transmission becomes likely. Prompt removal lowers risk, M&D Green Pharmacies carry a range of tick removal tools.
Symptoms to watch for
Symptoms can appear days to weeks after a bite.
Early symptoms
- Expanding circular rash (“bullseye” rash) — though not everyone gets this
- Flu-like symptoms
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle/joint aches
- Swollen glands
Later symptoms (if untreated)
- Joint pain/swelling
- Nerve pain
- Facial weakness (Bell’s palsy)
- Heart rhythm issues
- Memory/concentration problems
What to do after a tick bite
- Remove the tick promptly with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool.
- Grasp close to the skin.
- Pull upward steadily.
- Clean the area.
- Note the date and location of the bite.
- Watch for symptoms over the next few weeks.
What NOT to do
- Don’t burn the tick
- Don’t smother it with petroleum jelly/oils
- Don’t squeeze its body
