Beating tick bites

This summer there have been many calls to Okehampton Medical Centre regarding ticks. Dr Emma Chapman shares her advice on these nasty insects and their bites

Spending time outdoors can be fun and healthy but tick bites can cause health risks. If you enjoy activities like camping, hiking, golfing, gardening and generally being outdoors you could be at risk of contracting Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a serious illness which can be spread to humans from the bite of an infected tick. Ticks are active all year round but you’re at higher risk during March – October.

Ticks live in grass, bushes, shrubs and low-growing foliage. They usually come into contact with your feet, ankles and legs first.

High risk areas include wooded areas, grassy fields, beaches and nature parks.

Preventing bites:

• When outdoors cover yourself as much as possible by wearing a long sleeved shirt and long trousers. Tuck your socks into your trousers to reduce exposed skin. 
• Wear light-coloured clothing as it makes it easier to see ticks crawling on your or your clothes. 
• Apply an insect repellent to any exposed skin. Look for specific reference to ticks on the label and apply as instructed. 
• When using footpaths or trails, stay in the centre of them and don’t walk in the tall grass at the sides. 
• After returning inside check yourself and your children for ticks thoroughly. Inspect your pets too!
• Remove any found ticks as soon as possible. Bathing soon after coming indoors is a good way to spot ticks on adults and children. 

Where ticks usually bite:

• The groin (between the legs)
• Back of knees
• Armpits
• Scalp
• Inside the belly button
• In and around ears
• Around the waist
• In and around all body hair. 

Removing a Tick

If a tick is attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible to reduce your risk of contracting Lyme disease. 

To remove a tick:

• Use tweezers that won’t squash the tick or use a tick removal tool
• Grip the tick as close to the skin as possible to ensure the tick’s mouth isn’t left in the skin
• Pull steadily away from the skin without twisting or crushing the tick
• Wash your skin with water and soap and apply an antiseptic cream to the skin around the bite. 
• Don’t use a lit cigarette, a match head, alcohol or petroleum jelly to force the tick out.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease can be effectively treated if spotted early on. But if treatment is delayed, there's a risk you could develop severe and long-lasting symptoms. Many people with early-stage Lyme disease develop a distinctive circular rash at the site of the bite, usually around three to 30 days after being bitten. It is described as looking like a bull's-eye on a dart board. Some may develop several rashes in different parts of their body and some won't develop a rash at all. Some people will also experience flu-like symptoms, such as tiredness, muscle and joint pain, headaches, a high temperature, chills and neck stiffness. More serious symptoms may develop if Lyme disease is left untreated or is not treated early on. You should see your GP if you develop any of the symptoms described above after being bitten by a tick.

Dr Emma Chapman

Okehampton Medical Centre