Wicklow Uplands Council reminds those in upland areas to take care against tick bites and Lyme disease during the summer and autumn months

Lyme disease is an infection that is transmitted through the bite of a tick infected with a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. Ticks get the bacteria by biting other infected animals, like deer and mice. Most people who get tick bites do not get Lyme disease.  Not all ticks are infected but the risk for contracting the disease increases the longer the tick is attached to the body.

How do I know if I have been bitten?

An expanding area of redness is noticeable at the site of the tick bite.  This may not be noticeable until up to a week after the bite has occurred.  The rash is neither itchy nor painful. Ticks tend to go for sensitive areas of skin (under arms/groin area/behind ears) and therefore can go unnoticed.

Symptoms of Lyme disease

Some people report flu-like symptoms at this stage, including fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, and muscle aches.  Further rashes may develop, and there may be periods of pain and weakness in the arms or legs. Facial-muscle paralysis (Bell's palsy), and poor memory are other symptoms of Lyme disease. 

Other symptoms that may not appear until weeks or months after a tick bite include pain and swelling in the large joints – especially knees, nervous system abnormalities and heart-rhythm irregularities.  These symptoms may occur in patients who were not treated, or inadequately treated, at an earlier stage of the disease and are very uncommon.

Treatment

Most Lyme disease can be cured using antibiotics, especially when the infection is diagnosed and treated early. Later stage diagnoses might require longer-term, intravenous antibiotics.

How to best avoid becoming bitten/infected

When out in the countryside walking stick to the pathways.  Avoid wooded, bushy and grassy areas especially in summer months.

Cover up!  Wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirt and shoes that cover the entire foot.

Tuck your shirt into your trousers and your trouser legs into socks and wear a hat.

Spray insect repellent with 20%-30% DEET on your clothes.

After being outdoors wash and dry your clothes at high temperature and do a careful body check for ticks especially ears, under the arms, behind knees, and the scalp.

Dogs can carry ticks home which can then go on to bite family members so checking them for ticks after a trip to the countryside is very important.

What to do if I find a tick on my skin? 

Remove it! Using tweezers, grasp the tick close to the skin, pull straight back, and avoid crushing the tick's body. Apply antiseptic and be aware of symptoms. Save the tick for possible identification by your doctor.

Further information

Check out Tick Talk Ireland on their website www.ticktalkireland.org

and most of all………..Enjoy our beautiful uplands!