Lyme Disease

In most people who have been infected, a red, bulls-eye shaped rash develops within 30 days of the tick bite.²

Being bitten by an infected tick which carries the bacteria which cause Lyme Disease. Ticks are usually found in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas.^3,4

Northern hemisphere countries from North America through Europe to Russia and China (see map).^1,3 Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Europe and the UK.⁵

Most people who have been infected develop a rash that gradually expands around the bite. They may also have fatigue, fever, headache and joint and muscle pain.^2,6

Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. If untreated, it may eventually cause arthritis and possibly also problems with the skin and nervous system.²

You can take the following precautions to help reduce your risk of infection:

• Visit your nearest convenient pharmacy or specialist travel health clinic for a risk assessment before your trip
• Avoid places – like long grass – where ticks live^4,6
• Use a recommended insect repellent containing either Picaridin, DEET, PMD or OLE (oil of lemon eucalyptus), IR3535 or 2-undecanone⁴
• Wear appropriate clothing (e.g loose fitting long-sleeved clothes, long trousers, socks and shoes) and tuck trousers into socks to minimise exposed skin⁶
• Check every day for ticks on yourself, children and pets. Carefully remove any that you find using a tick remover or tweezers. Gently grip the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it upwards without twisting or crushing. Then wash your skin with water and soap or an antiseptic.⁶