2 weeks Ago
With summer around the corner, many of us will be looking to get outside and enjoy the countryside after a very cold winter. And the same is true for our pets, who will be ready to soak up the sunshine and warm weather by our side. But spending more time among nature means a heightened risk of tick bites, which can, in some cases, result in Lyme disease.
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and the charity, Lyme Disease UK, is urging the public to look out for these dangerous arachnids which may carry the disease. Lyme disease is an infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. The infection is predominantly spread to humans through the bite of an infected tick.
Other infections that ticks can carry include Babesia, Bartonella, and rarely in the UK, the viral infection tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Sometimes, ticks can transmit multiple infections through a single bite, and these can cause more severe symptoms and a more complicated clinical picture. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) estimates there are 1,500 laboratory confirmed cases of Lyme disease per year and between 1,000 and 2,000 more cases diagnosed clinically, although research published in 2019 showed that the real number could be at least three times higher.
Doctors do not have to report diagnosed cases of Lyme disease unless patients have a positive blood test so the true number of cases is essentially unknown. Ticks have been found across every county of the UK and are mainly found in grassy areas and woodland, but have also been found in urban parks and gardens. It is estimated that up to 10% of ticks in the UK carry Lyme disease.
Ticks vary in size and can be as small as a poppy seed, or as large as a baked bean after a blood meal. Ticks live in grassy areas and look for food by waiting on blades of grass for a human or animal to brush past so it can embed itself and feed. This activity is known as ‘questing’.
Ticks often crawl to warm, hidden parts of the body and can go unnoticed while feeding as the bites are painless. Symptoms of Lyme disease may have a delayed onset and can fluctuate. The most obvious sign of Lyme disease is an erythema migrans (EM) rash, often referred to as a bull’s-eye rash.
This is diagnostic of the infection and treatment should be started straight away, without needing to wait for a blood test. However, around a third of people with Lyme disease don’t develop this rash and its appearance can be atypical. It doesn’t always look like the classic ringed type rash, and can have a solid or bruise-like appearance and look very different on darker skins.
The behaviour of any rash after a tick bite is the most important thing to be aware of. An erythema migrans rash takes at least three days, and in some cases up to 3 months, to appear. It generally isn’t itchy, painful, or hot, and gradually spreads outwards.
Redness or itchiness immediately after a tick bite is usually a histamine reaction. However, not everybody develops an EM rash, so it’s important to look out for other possible symptoms of Lyme disease such as: ‘summer flu’, headaches, stiff neck, facial palsy (especially in children), fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and generally feeling very unwell. Behavioural changes in small children often indicate that a child is unwell, as they are unable to articulate how they are feeling.
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere. Infected ticks can be found in every county of the UK, but some areas are known to pose a higher risk, including the Scottish Highlands, South and South West England, and parts of East Anglia. Since the UK’s first confirmed case in 1985, the recorded incidence of Lyme disease has steadily been increasing.
The reasons for this are complex, but may be related to climate change, as well as changes in land management and biodiversity. Ticks carrying tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) have now been identified in the UK, however the risk is very low. Symptoms include flu-like illness, persistent headache, confusion and sensitivity to bright light.
It’s good practice to do a tick check anytime your dog returns from outdoors. Run your hands over their body, making sure to focus on areas like their head and ears, belly, and armpits. Try to feel for any small bumps on their skin.
There are plenty of products out there that can help prevent tick bites. Look out for collars, sprays, and spot-on treatments, but be sure to only use products recommended by your vet. Tick treatment for dogs include chemicals that can be lethal for cats, and a treatment intended for cats may also be harmful to your dog.
Your vet will recommend the right treatment for your specific pet. While ticks are more common in woodland areas, they can also be found in your garden. Make sure to keep the grass and vegetation in your garden cut short to avoid harbouring ticks.
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