Ticks are small eight-legged insects that range in colour from shades of brown to black and they increase in size as they feed on blood. Typically, the are not harmful in themselves but may carry and transmit diseases.<\/p>\n
In the UK, Lyme disease (chronic borreliosis) is an illness that is\u00a0primarily transmitted by ticks. This disease can cause a range of issues from joint stiffness, sensitivity to light and headaches to psychological problems such as difficulty concentrating and tiredness. It can also lead to serious complications.<\/p>\n
Ticks in the UK tend to be found on grassy and wooded areas where they cling to vegetation waiting to attach themselves to passing warm-blooded animals or humans.<\/p>\n
Tick bites are not harmful in themselves and you may not even feel a bite. However, a tick bite is usually easy to identify as ticks can remain attached to the skin for up to 10 days after the first bite. Ticks like to feed on household pets and therefore can transfer to you. In addition to passing diseases, their bites can trigger an allergic reaction. Only a small number of ticks are infected with Lyme disease and a tick can only transmit the disease if it has already bitten an infected animal.\u00a0 If a tick bite has given you Lyme disease, you are likely to develop a circular red rash around the tick bite that can resemble a \u2018bull\u2019s eye\u2019 on a dartboard.<\/p>\n
Below are different severities of symptoms you may see after a tick bite:<\/p>\n
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The Moderate Symptoms below indicate a non-severe allergy to tick bites:<\/p>\n
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Rapid onset of any of the following symptoms following a tick bite could indicate a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Anaphylaxis is potentially life-threatening and requires emergency treatment. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include:<\/p>\n
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Tick-borne diseases usually develop within several days to a few weeks after a bite. They can cause a variety of symptoms. If you present any of the symptoms below, we advise you to contact Ahmey\u2019s and book an appointment as they could indicate that you have contracted Lyme disease or another tick-borne disease. Potential symptoms of a tick-borne disease include:<\/p>\n
In the unusual event that a bite causes symptoms of a severe reaction, you will need immediate emergency care. If your bite is showing signs of being infected, we recommend that you contact Ahmey\u2019s and make an appointment to see a doctor. If the bite is incredibly swollen, the doctor might prescribe a topical cream or oral medication to reduce swelling. If the bite is infected, the doctor may also potentially prescribe antibiotics. If you are showing symptoms that indicate a tick-borne disease, contact your GP immediately.<\/p>\n
Tick bites do not usually require medical treatment. If you experience any symptoms of an infection or believe that you may have contracted a tick-borne disease, contact Ahmey\u2019s to make an appointment. If you experience any symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, you will need immediate emergency treatment. Any mild discomfort can be treated by the patient themselves in the ways shown below.<\/p>\n
First aid for tick bites:<\/p>\n
Tick Bites Ticks are small eight-legged insects that range in colour from shades of brown to black and they increase in size as they feed on blood. Typically, the are not harmful in themselves but may carry and transmit diseases. In the UK, Lyme disease (chronic borreliosis) is an illness that is\u00a0primarily transmitted by ticks. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1991,"parent":1695,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"\n