In case you’ve been bitten by a tick, observe these 5 steps

[ad_1] Due to the present scorching climate, many people are spending extra time outdoor having fun with the backyard, parks and countryside.

In case you're in grassy areas or woodland, nevertheless, the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) has issued a warning to look out for ticks. The organisation lately posted on X telling individuals to be tick conscious and gave steering on what to do in case you're bitten.

"Summer season’s a good time to get outdoors, however ticks love the outside too," learn the tweet. "In case you're strolling by way of grassy or wooded areas, check out our steering that will help you keep secure and #BeTickAware."

This is what you might want to learn about ticks, the place they're mostly discovered and what to do in case you get bitten.

<img alt="Tick - carrier for several diseases of humans and animals, for exampel the dangerous lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, Powassan virus disease and many more." loading="lazy" width="960" height="699" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="rounded-lg" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xQR6x0NRvSpbpOmVHSqDwQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY5OQ--/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2024-04/0581e340-06f4-11ef-addf-07073d9f3e6f"/> Ticks are commonest in spring, early summer season and early autumn. (Getty Pictures)

What are ticks? Ticks are small, spider-like creatures that feed on the blood of individuals and animals. They fluctuate in measurement and could be as small as a poppy seed, or as massive as a baked bean after they've consumed blood, in accordance with Lyme Illness UK.

They're discovered all throughout the UK, primarily in grassy areas and woodland, however they've additionally been present in parks and gardens and sometimes wait on blades of grass for an animal or human to brush previous to allow them to feed.

Ticks are most energetic in spring, early summer season and early autumn, however it's doable to be bitten at any time of yr.

Is a tick chunk harmful? Whereas not all ticks carry an infection, some do, so it is vital to be tick conscious. In accordance with the UKHSA, throughout feeding, ticks can transmit pathogens which will end in tick-borne infections comparable to Lyme illness and, in uncommon circumstances, tick-borne encephalitis.

It is estimated that round 4% of ticks are contaminated with Lyme illness in England and Wales, however this will fluctuate. Some years it may be as excessive as 8-10% in sure areas.

<img alt="Place tick removers or fine-tipped tweezers as close to the skin as possible when removing ticks. (H3D)" loading="lazy" width="960" height="640" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="rounded-lg" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/vRsRrEuMQ7EJ55WEQb7GXg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/b39a3420-4abc-11f0-b87b-ddce698968b0"/> Place tick removers or fine-tipped tweezers as near the pores and skin as doable when eradicating ticks. (H3D)

What to do in case you're bitten by a tick In case you're bitten by a tick, the UKHSA suggests the next five-step strategy:

Take away ticks as quickly as you see them – use a tick removing machine or a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. You should purchase tick removers from many pharmacies, pet shops and out of doors retailers.

Take away the tick by greedy as near the pores and skin as you may – pull upwards firmly to make sure you get the entire tick out.

Clear the chunk and surrounding space with cleaning soap and water – you must also regulate it for just a few weeks to search for any modifications.

Look out for a spreading bullseye rash – this will sometimes develop between three and 30 days after being bitten and is a standard symptom of Lyme illness.

See your GP or name 111 in case you really feel unwell inside just a few weeks of being bitten – it's possible you'll expertise flu-like signs, a spreading round rash, nerve ache or drooping of the face. Tick bites are often painless so in case you really feel unwell and have spent loads of time outdoor, you must also contact your GP.

There are additionally a lot of precautions you may take to keep away from being bitten. These embody:

Take insect repellent that works for ticks and a tick remover software out with you (you too can get tick prevention for canines, which your vet ought to be capable of advise on)

Keep away from strolling by way of lengthy grass

Put on lengthy sleeves and tuck trousers into socks

Put on light-coloured clothes so you may spot ticks and brush them off shortly

Bathe and do a tick test on youngsters and pets while you get dwelling, paying specific consideration to kids's ears and hairline

<img alt="A bullseye shaped rash around a bite can be a symptom of Lyme disease. (Getty Images)" loading="lazy" width="960" height="1144" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="rounded-lg" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0KGEr4zlFG.t8LZ641.XMg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTExNDQ-/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/4a3248e0-4ab9-11f0-ba9b-b505e17bdcbd"/> A bullseye formed rash round a chunk generally is a symptom of Lyme illness. (Getty Pictures)

What's Lyme illness? Lyme illness is a bacterial an infection that may be unfold by a chunk from an contaminated tick. It isn't identified precisely how many individuals within the UK have Lyme illness however in 2024, the UKHSA estimated there are 1,500 laboratory confirmed circumstances a yr and 1,000–2,000 extra circumstances recognized clinically. A few of these circumstances are caught abroad.

In accordance with the NHS, early signs can embody a round or oval rash, which can appear like a bullseye. The rash can seem as much as three months after being bitten however often reveals up within the first 4 weeks. You might also get flu-like signs just a few days or perhaps weeks after being bitten by an contaminated tick.

It is simpler to deal with Lyme illness within the early levels, so in case you're in any respect anxious a few chunk or any signs, be sure to search medical recommendation. If left untreated, Lyme illness could cause well being points which can embody ache and swelling within the joints, or issues affecting the nervous system and coronary heart.

<img alt="When checking children for ticks, pay particular attention to their hairline and behind their ears. (Lyme Disease UK)" loading="lazy" width="960" height="640" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="rounded-lg" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/2sg_IuFLb2U8CQCUciz3aw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-06/96503a80-4abd-11f0-bfed-f314ab65f02c"/> When checking kids for ticks, pay specific consideration to their hairline and behind their ears. (Lyme Illness UK)

What's tick-borne encephalitis? Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral an infection unfold by tick bites. It is a lot rarer than Lyme illness within the UK however could cause flu-like signs and in just a few individuals, the NHS says the an infection might unfold to the mind.