Tick alert as warm weather wakes up bloodsucking beasties

PEOPLE are being urged to be “tick aware” as the blood-sucking beasties become more active as the spring weather warms up.

Hampshire County Council has issued to the warning to residents enjoying the great outdoors this season, especially wooded and grassy areas in the New Forest where ticks attach themselves to passing humans and animals.

The district is known for having a large population of ticks, which can pass on harmful diseases.

An HCC spokesperson said: “These tiny insects, which can transmit bacteria such as Lyme disease, can be found throughout the year but are most active between spring and autumn.

“They are typically found in woodland, grassland, moorland or heathland but are also found in urban parks and gardens.”

Advice to avoid bringing unwelcome visitors home is to stick to footpaths and avoid long grass when out walking.

Other measures in risky areas include wearing long-sleeved tops and tucking trousers into socks, using an insect repellent, donning light-coloured fabrics to easily spot ticks before they bite, and inspecting family and pets for bites.

Places to check in particular are the head, neck and skin folds such as armpits, groin and waistband, as well as the scalp of children.

Public Health England advice for getting bitten by a tick, involves removing it quickly and correctly can help to reduce any potential risk.

The only safe way to remove a tick is to use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers, or an easy-to-use device which can be purchased from pharmacies or vets.

The technique is to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upwards slowly and firmly, as mouthparts left in the skin can cause a local infection.

Once removed, apply antiseptic to the bite area and keep an eye on it for several weeks for any changes.

The HCC spokesperson said: “Contact your GP if you begin to feel unwell or develop a circular red skin rash, often described as a bull’s-eye rash, and remember to tell them that you were bitten by a tick.”

Lyme disease can be a debilitating condition including symptoms such as joint pain and fatigue so bad that sufferers can need a wheelchair to get around or end up bedbound.

As reported in the A&T, a local campaign group to raise awareness called About Time for Lyme was launched by Kellie Maher who grew up in Brockenhurst before catching the disease. She wants improved testing by the NHS for early, more effective treatment.

To find out more about Lyme disease go to www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/.