What To Put On A Tick Bite After Removal

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. Information technology'due south usually easier to treat if it'south diagnosed early.

Symptoms of Lyme disease

A circular or oval shape rash around a tick seize with teeth tin can be an early symptom of Lyme disease in some people.

The rash can appear upward to 3 months later being bitten past an infected tick, just usually appears inside i to 4 weeks. It can terminal for several weeks.

The rash can accept a darker or lighter area in the center and might gradually spread. It's not unremarkably hot or itchy.

The rash may be flat, or slightly raised, and look pink, red, or purple when it appears on white skin. It can be harder to run across the rash on brown and black skin and it may look like a trample.

A round, red area, surrounded by a red, ring-shape rash, from Lyme disease. Shown on white skin. — The rash may look like a bullseye on a dartboard.

A round, red rash with a slightly darker centre, on the upper arm, caused by Lyme disease. Shown on white skin. — Sometimes the edges of the rash may feel slightly raised.

Some people as well go flu-like symptoms a few days or weeks subsequently they were bitten by an infected tick, such as:

a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
headache
muscle and joint hurting
tiredness and loss of energy

Other symptoms of Lyme illness

Some people with Lyme disease develop more than severe symptoms months or years subsequently.

This is more probable if treatment is delayed.

These more severe symptoms may include:

hurting and swelling in joints
nervus problems – such as pain or numbness
heart problems
trouble with memory or concentration

The chance of getting Lyme disease

Not all ticks in England carry the leaner that causes Lyme illness.

But it'southward still important to be aware of ticks and to safely remove them as presently equally possible, simply in case.

Ticks that may crusade Lyme disease are found all over the Great britain, simply high-chance places include grassy and wooded areas in southern and northern England and the Scottish Highlands.

What are ticks?

A close-up image of a red-brown tick on skin, surrounded by brown hairs. Shown on white skin..

Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures that live in woods, areas with long grass, and sometimes in urban parks and gardens. They're found all over the UK.

Ticks do non jump or fly. They attach to the pare of animals or humans that brush by them.

Once a tick bites into the skin, information technology feeds on blood for a few days before dropping off.

How to spot and remove ticks

Important

Tick bites are not always painful. Y'all may not discover a tick unless you run into it on your skin.

Regularly bank check for ticks on your dress and peel, and on children and pets subsequently being outdoors.

To remove a tick safely:

Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool. You can buy these from some pharmacies, vets and pet shops.
Grasp the tick every bit close to the skin every bit possible.
Slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick. Dispose of it when yous take removed it.
Clean the seize with teeth with clarified or lather and h2o.

The chance of getting ill is depression. You do not demand to do anything else unless you notice a rash or become unwell.

An illustration of a tick with its head buried under skin. Tweezers are around the tick's head, pulling it out of the skin. — How to remove a tick safely.

Non-urgent communication: Meet a GP if:

yous've been bitten by a tick or visited an surface area in the past 3 months where infected ticks could be

and you have:

flu-similar symptoms – such as feeling hot and shivery, headaches, aching muscles or feeling sick, or
a round or oval shape rash

Tell them if y'all take recently been in forests or grassy areas.

Information:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: how to contact a GP

Information technology's nonetheless important to get aid from a GP if you demand it. To contact your GP surgery:

visit their website
utilize the NHS App
call them

Find out nearly using the NHS during COVID-nineteen

What happens at your appointment

The GP will ask about your symptoms and consider any rash or recent tick bites you know about.

Lyme affliction tin can exist difficult to diagnose. It has similar symptoms to other conditions and there's non always an obvious rash.

two types of blood exam are available to aid confirm or rule out Lyme affliction. Just these tests are not always accurate in the early stages of the illness.

You may need to be retested if y'all all the same have Lyme disease symptoms later a negative result.

Treatment from a GP

If a GP thinks you might have Lyme affliction, they'll prescribe a class of antibiotics.

The antibiotics y'all're given volition depend on your symptoms, but you may need to accept them for up to 28 days. Information technology'south important to finish the course, even if you kickoff to feel improve.

Some people with severe symptoms will exist referred to a specialist in hospital so antibiotics can be given directly into a vein.

Near people with Lyme disease get better after antibiotic treatment. This can take months for some people, but the symptoms should improve over time.

People with symptoms of Lyme affliction that last a long time after treatment may be referred to a specialist in hospital for advice and more claret tests.

Important

Some websites offer tests and treatment for Lyme disease that may not be supported past scientific evidence.

Speak to a doc for advice before buying tests or handling online.

How to avoid tick bites

To reduce the chance of being bitten:

cover your skin while walking outdoors and tuck your trousers into your socks
utilise insect repellent on your clothes and skin – products containing DEET are all-time
stay on articulate paths whenever possible
clothing light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to run into and brush off

Ongoing symptoms of Lyme disease

A few people who are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease proceed to have symptoms, like tiredness, aches and loss of energy, that tin can terminal for years.

These symptoms are ofttimes compared to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

It's not articulate why this happens to some people and not others. This means there's also no agreed handling.

Speak to a physician if your symptoms come back, or do not ameliorate, later on handling with antibiotics.

The doctor may be able to offer yous further back up if needed, such equally:

referral for a care needs assessment
telling your employer, schoolhouse or college education institution that you require a gradual return to activities
communicating with children and families' social intendance

Folio concluding reviewed: 05 July 2022
Adjacent review due: 05 July 2024