Walking? Watch out for ticks - and Lyme disease
Stay well when you're walking. By Michelle Hather
Spring has sprung, and it’s a great time to be outdoors. But don’t spoil a healthy day out by taking home a parasite that can cause ongoing health problems. Lyme disease is on the increase in the UK, and is caused by the bite of an infected tick.
This minuscule parasite (below) – no bigger than a full stop on this page – lives on deer, rabbits, foxes, hedgehogs and birds, but will happily turn its attention to humans, too. Lyme disease can cause headaches, stiff muscles and joints, tiredness and a rash, but is treatable with antibiotics.
If you’ve been walking in long grass or near animals, check your skin, including scalp and hairline. Use fine-toothed tweezers to grip the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it off steadily without crushing it. Then disinfect well with antiseptic cream.
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