The prevalence of ticks—and the diseases they carry—has been on the rise in recent decades as reforestation and climate change expanded the range of the eight-legged bacterial vectors.
A tick, tiny spider-like creatures, that causes Lyme disease to a person by biting the skin and embedding their mouths. Ticks can be found in wooded, heath, and grassy areas, or can be found in a person’s own garden or local park.
Most cases of Lyme can be successfully treated with a few weeks of antibiotics, according to the CDC.
Untreated, the illness can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system.
Dr. Joshua Berkowitz, founder of the Lyme Disease Clinic in London has put forward the six symptoms indicating you may have been infected.
He said:
According to the expert:
He continued:
How to prevent Lyme disease
Dr. Berkowitz recommended some simple things a person can do to lower their chances of being bitten by a tick which includes:
Wear an insect repellent when outdoors- check it’s one that repels ticks
Take extra care in wooded areas, long grass and heath-land
Cover your arms and legs – tuck your trousers into your socks
Check yourself, your family and your pets when you’re out and about – brush off any ticks that are unattached
Check yourselves thoroughly when you return home – remember you can’t see the back of your body well so get someone else to check too
If you find an embedded tick, remove it with a tick removal tool: if you can’t remove it, go to your doctor immediately.
If you feel unwell or see a rash after being bitten, see your Doctor. Push for the antibiotics as this is the first line of treatment and, if taken in time, can be successful in eliminating the disease.
If your symptoms persist or worsen, visit your Doctor or hospital.
If they can’t help you or dismiss your concerns, look for a specialist clinic that can take a variety of blood tests to give you the best chance of diagnosis before prescribing treatment.