‘Don’t let the bugs bite’ says NHS Devon
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NHS Devon is warning people not to let the bugs bite this summer.
As the weather improves and more people spend time in grassy and woodland areas of the county, such as Dartmoor and
Lyme disease is caused by a bug bite and the number of cases rise towards the summer when people get out to enjoy our outdoor spaces. Although sometimes hard to see, a bite can lead to headaches, muscle pain, high temperature, joint pain and stiffness of the neck.
The most common symptom of Lyme disease is a red skin rash that looks like a bull’s eye on a dart board. It may appear up to 30 days after the person is bitten by an infected tick. However, it doesn’t always appear.
Lyme disease is not often serious and can be treated with antibiotics. Most people recover within a couple of days.
Jackie Morse, head of health protection at NHS Devon, said: “We all need to be aware of insect bites when visiting grassy and wasteland areas such as Dartmoor or
“Ticks are very small; young ones are about the size of a poppy seed and adults are the size of an apple pip, so it is important to check your skin regularly when out in these areas.
“You often cannot feel the bite so it can be difficult to realise you have a tick attached to your skin.
“If you do find a tick on your skin, remove it by gently gripping it as close to the skin as possible, ideally using tweezers, and pull steadily away from the skin. You need to make sure you don't crush or squeeze the tick as parts can break off and cause infection. You can also use tick hooks, from vets and chemists.
“If you think you have any of the symptoms or have been bitten by a tick, please book an appointment with your GP immediately.”
Seven ways to reduce the risk of getting Lyme disease:
- Be aware of ticks and the areas they normally live in – Exmoor and Dartmoor are local examples.
- Wear long sleeve shirts and trousers tucked into your socks in tick infested areas.
- Use insect repellents.
- Inspect your skin for ticks particularly at the end of the day, including your head, neck, armpits, groin and waistband.
- Make sure that your children’s head and neck areas, including scalps, are properly checked.
- Check that ticks are not brought home on your clothes.
- Check that pets do not bring ticks into your home in their fur.
