We seem to be hearing more and more about Lyme disease – an illness spread by infected ticks. So is it becoming more common? And what exactly is it? We look into Lyme disease so you can be on your guard and recognise the symptoms, such as a 'bull's-eye' circular rash and get it treated as soon as possible.
What is Lyme disease?
The NHS describes Lyme disease – also known as Lyme borreliosis – as a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks.
Ticks are tiny creatures that live in woodlands and countryside, and feed on the blood of birds and mammals, including that of humans. We can contract Lyme disease when a tick that has previously bitten an animal carrying the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, then bites us.
Not all ticks carry the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease.
However, according to the charity Lyme Disease Action, four species of ticks are known to cause disease in the UK.
Infected ticks can be found up and down the UK as well as in parts of Europe and North America.
Is it becoming more common?
Lyme Disease Action says that the first recorded case of Lyme disease in the UK was in 1977, and the number of Lyme disease cases has been rising ever since.
The confirmed number of cases of Lyme disease in the UK has risen from 346 in 2003 to about 1000 in 2015 – virtually tripling.
This could be partly due to increased awareness of Lyme disease.
Public Health England (PHE) estimates there could be around 3,000 new cases occurring in the UK every year, possibly more.
Lyme disease is also becoming increasingly common in the US, with approximately 30,000 cases reported to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Protection) every year.
Avril Lavigne, Bella Hadid, Selena Gomez and Richard Gere are just some of the A-list celebrities to have had Lyme disease, helping to raise awareness about it.
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
One of the most obvious and distinctive signs of Lyme disease is the circular rash that appears around where the tick has bitten you. This is sometimes called a 'bull's–eye' because of its circular pattern.
The rash can be around 15cm (six inches) across, but it can be much larger or smaller than this.
Here's an example of the rash that can be an early indicator of Lyme disease:
However, not everyone gets this red rash, with the NHS estimating that one in three people with Lyme disease won't develop it.
Other symptoms to be aware of include:
- flu-like symptoms
- tiredness or fatigue
- muscle pain
- joint pain
- neck stiffness
If Lyme disease isn't treated early on, or is left untreated, it can lead to more serious symptoms, such as:
- pain and swelling in the joints
- problems affecting the nervous system
- heart problems
- inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
Always see your GP if you suspect you've been bitten by a tick or have any of the above symptoms – especially if you've been in woodland or countryside where ticks could have been present.
How is Lyme disease treated?
If you have a likely case of Lyme disease, you'll be prescribed antibiotics while your GP waits for the results of a blood test to confirm infection. It can sometimes require two blood tests to detect this.
Complications of Lyme disease
The earlier you treat Lyme disease, the better – although this is easier said than done as not everyone remembers or notices getting bitten by a tick.
If Lyme disease goes untreated, it can develop into post-infection Lyme disease.
The symptoms of this are similar to chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia (a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body).
According to the NHS, it's not clear exactly why this happens, but it's thought to be caused by overactivity of your immune system rather than persistent infection.
Who's likely to get Lyme disease?
People who spend time in woodland or heath areas in the UK and parts of Europe or North America are most at risk of developing Lyme disease.
Most tick bites happen in late spring, early summer and autumn because these are the times of year when most people take part in outdoor activities, such as hiking and camping.
Can I protect my kids against Lyme disease?
Sadly, there's no vaccine available to protect kids against Lyme disease.
Lyme Disease Action recommends being aware of the risk that ticks present, and using sensible measures to avoid being bitten if you know you or your kids have been to countryside where there could be ticks. These measures include:
- wearing suitable clothing
- checking the skin for ticks (see What does a tick look like, below).
More top tips from the NHS for avoiding Lyme disease include:
- keeping to footpaths and avoiding long grass when out walking
- wearing appropriate clothing in tick-infested areas (a long-sleeved shirt and trousers tucked into your socks)
- wearing light-coloured fabrics that may help you spot a tick on your clothes
- using insect repellent on exposed skin
- inspecting your skin for ticks, particularly at the end of the day, including your head, neck and skin folds (armpits, groin, and waistband) – remove any ticks you find promptly
- checking your children's head and neck areas, including their scalp
- making sure ticks are not brought home on your clothes
- checking that pets do not bring ticks into your home in their fur.
It's also essential to know how to remove a tick properly if it is still present and to go promptly for medical advice if you notice any symptoms.
How to remove a tick
If you find a tick on your or your child's skin, here's the NHS advice for how to remove it:
- Use a pair of tweezers that won't squash the tick (such as fine-tipped tweezers), or use a tick removal tool (available from pet shops or vets).
- Remove the tick by gently gripping it as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull steadily away from the skin without twisting or crushing the tick.
- Wash skin with water and soap afterwards, and apply an antiseptic cream around the bite.
- Don't use a lit cigarette end, a match head or substances such as alcohol or petroleum jelly to force the tick out.
- Some veterinary surgeries and pet shops sell inexpensive tick removal devices, which may be useful if you frequently spend time in areas where there are ticks.
Or you can watch this video to see how to remove a tick ...
Where are ticks likely to be?
Cases of Lyme disease have been reported throughout the UK, but areas known to have a particularly high population of ticks include:
- The New Forest and other rural areas of Hampshire
- The South Downs
- Parts of Wiltshire and Berkshire
- Parts of Surrey and West Sussex
- Thetford Forest in Norfolk
- The Lake District
- The North York Moors
- The Scottish Highlands