Dog owners are being warned over blood-sucking ticks as they head into the countryside for walks this summer.
Ticks, which carry potentially fatal infections such as Lyme disease, become more prevalent between May and September as it is their peak 'feeding' season.
The spider-like creatures feed on the blood of animals and humans, reports SomersetLive.
As the number of Lyme disease cases have increased - particularly in the South West - in recent years, North Somerset Council is now urging people to be 'tick aware'.
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Authority health chiefs are urging people to walk on clearly defined paths, avoid dense vegetation and use insect repellent that repels ticks.
They also advise those venturing out to wear light colour clothing and carry out a tick check after going outside and look for attached ticks on humans and pets.
A spokesman said: “If you do find one, remove it correctly and safely using a pair of fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool.
“Then apply antiseptic to the bite area and keep an eye on it. If you start to feel unwell, see your GP and make sure you tell them you’ve been bitten by a tick.
“A common early sign of #LymeDisease is a circular rash that looks like a bulls-eye and might get bigger. But not everyone gets a rash – sometimes Lyme Disease might feel like mild ‘flu.”
Damp, shady dense vegetation, dead leaves or long grass provide the perfect habitat for the creatures.
Ticks don't jump or fly, but climb onto people or animals as they brush past.
They then bite into the skin and attach themselves, before they start feeding on the blood of their new host.
Ticks prefer warm places on the body, especially the groin area, waist, armpits, behind the knee and along hairlines.
Owners may have seen posters at their local vets warning them about the dangers of tick bites but may be unaware it can affect humans.
With an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 new cases in England and Wales each year, Lyme disease is one of the fastest growing infections in the UK - and beyond.
However the true number of cases is likely to be much higher due to under-reporting and unreliable testing methods. There is no vaccine for Lyme disease.
However it can be treated effectively with antibiotics if it's detected early on.
But if not treated or treatment is delayed, there's a risk of developing severe and long-lasting symptoms.
The tick must be attached for 36-48 hours before the bacteria can spread, so early detection is important to prevent further complications.
The risk of Lyme disease transmission increases with the length of time the tick is attached.
How to prevent Lyme disease
There a precautions that people can take to reduce the risk of infection if visiting woodlands or grassy areas where ticks are commonly found:
* Wear appropriate long clothing that covers the skin - consider tucking trousers into socks
* Keep to footpaths and avoid long grass
* Wear light colours so it is easier to spot a tick on your clothes
* Use insect repellent on exposed skin
* Inspect the skin for ticks - particularly at the end of the day. Be sure to check the head, neck, armpits, groin and waistband.
* Check children's head and neck area thoroughly - including the scalp
* Check pets for ticks
How to safely remove a tick
The NHS has specific advice when it comes to removing a tick:
* If you find a tick on your or your child's skin, remove it by gently gripping it as close to the skin as possible.
* Use a pair of tweezers that won't squash the tick (such as fine-tipped tweezers), or use a tick removal tool (available from pet shops or vets).
* Pull steadily away from the skin without twisting or crushing the tick.
* Wash your skin with water and soap afterwards, and apply an antiseptic cream to the skin around the bite.
* Don't use a lit cigarette end, a match head or substances such as alcohol or petroleum jelly to force the tick out.
* Some veterinary surgeries and pet shops sell inexpensive tick removal devices, which may be useful if you frequently spend time in areas where there are ticks.
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
According to the NHS website, many people with early-stage Lyme disease develop a distinctive circular rash at the site of the tick bite, usually around three to 30 days after being bitten. This is known as erythema migrans.
This rash is described as looking like a bullseye and the affected area will be red and may feel slightly raised. Typically it is around 15cm in diameter, although can be larger or smaller.
Some people may develop rashes in several places on their body. However a third of people with Lyme disease will not be marked.
People with early-stage symptoms sometimes experience flu-like complaints such as tiredness, muscle pain, headaches, fever and chills.
If the disease is left untreated or is not treated early on, more serious symptoms may develop several weeks, months or even years after the initial bite.
These symptoms can include
* Pain and swelling in the joints - known as inflammatory arthritis
* Problems with the nervous system such as numbness and pain, paralysis of facial muscles, difficulty concentrating and memory loss.
* Heart problems
* Meningitis.
Some people with disease go on to develop post-infectious Lyme disease which causes symptoms similar to fibromyalgia such as fatigue, difficulty sleeping, problems with memory, headaches and increased sensitivity to pain. This is likely to be a reaction to over-activity or the immune system rather than the infection.
What should you do if you think you may have Lyme disease?
Although it is thought only a small proportion of ticks carry the disease it is important to seek medical advice from your GP if you are bitten and begin to feel unwell.
If you are bitten by a tick and start to develop symptoms, a GP will usually prescribe a course of antibiotics.
Early stages of Lyme disease can be treated very effectively with antibiotics, but those with late onset symptoms may require a much longer course of treatment, often from specialists to address any complications.
The infection is usually diagnosed by a blood test, however these can give a false negative in the early stage.
You may need to be re-tested if Lyme disease is still suspected after a negative test result.
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