They are on the lookout for a bare leg or foot to feed on your blood and leave their calling card…
It starts with a red dot and a red ring around it. At this point antibiotics from your doctor can make a cure. BUT if you ignore it or do not notice, after a while it becomes incurable under the NHS. There are thousands of people across the country who are so debilitated that they cannot cross the room. Hopefully the following will make you more tick aware and save your life.
¨ Whilst walking in the countryside do not have open‑toed shoes.
¨ Ensure you do not have trousers that are loose to enable a tick to hide in the seams of clothing.
¨ Once back home, remove all outside clothing and put it in the washing machine.
¨ Check your body and that of your children and pets for any ticks – they love to hide in hairlines/necks/behind knees and elbows, even armpits!
What to do if you find a tick:
If you are bitten by a tick or find one on you then remove it very slowly. Never be tempted to burn the tick off with a cigarette as it will immediately discharge poisons.
Tick tweezers are shaped like a hook and are obtainable from any chemist or outdoor clothing shops. It is advisable for every household to have them and to keep a set in your car’s first aid kit. Be sure to follow the instructions on how to use the tick hook.
Once the tick is removed, dab the site with an antiseptic wipe, a solution of Dettol and Savlon or Tea Tree antiseptic. If you have been bitten by an infected tick you may go on to develop the well-known Bulls Eye Rash but not everyone gets this. Please now visit a surgery and get it put on record that you have had a bite. Some Doctors will prescribe a course of antibiotics whilst others will not.
¨ After a month you will require a blood test, any sooner will give you a negative result.
¨ We recommended that you insist on a blood test as many GP’s do not see Lyme disease as a “high risk” condition.
¨ If your doctor refuses a blood test then see another GP or ask your local hospital.
¨ If you have a tick bite, take pictures of the bite at least once a week, so that if the ‘bullseye’ appears, you have a photographic record of its progress.
If you are able to get a blood test, you will know whether you have Lyme Disease or not.
If you require further information, please see: https://www.gnhct-uk.com/
GOC is unable to verify the content of this article. If you are affected by any of the issues raised, please consult a doctor as soon as possible!
