Outdoorsy types have been warned to take precautions against tick bites to reduce their risk of contracting Lyme disease.
A bacterial infection that is spread to humans by infected ticks, Lyme disease can, in a small number of cases, cause severe debilitating heart and nervous system disease. Warning signs include neurological symptoms, such as temporary paralysis of the facial muscles, joint swelling and pain.
There are between 50 and 100 cases in Ireland each year.
“Ramblers, campers, mountain bikers, and others who work and walk in forested or grassy areas must be vigilant against tick bites”, says Dr. Paul McKeown, Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) Specialist in Public Health Medicine.
“Ticks are tiny spider like creatures that feed on the blood of mammals and birds and will also feed on the blood of humans and occasionally dogs. Ticks are more numerous and more active in the summer months and protecting against tick bites protects against Lyme disease. The most effective way to prevent Lyme disease is by preventing tick bites” continued Dr. McKeown.
Tick bites can be prevented by:
- Wearing long trousers, long sleeved shirt and shoes
- Using an insect repellent, such as DEET (but use a low-strength DEET if you are pregnant – your local pharmacist can advise you)
- Checking skin, hair and warm skin folds (especially the neck and scalp of children) for ticks, after a day out
- Removing any ticks and consulting with a GP if symptoms develop
- If you have been walking your dog, check him/her too
If you find a tick on your skin (or your child’s skin), remove it by gently gripping it as close to the skin as possible using fine-toothed tweezers and pulling steadily away.
Speak to your GP or visit the HSE website for more information.
