The HSE have issued a warning over disease-spreading ticks ahead of the warm weather.
Lyme disease is normally caught outdoors and can be spread from infected ticks to humans.
The bacterial infection spread by ticks can cause heart and nerve problems.
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Ticks that may cause Lyme disease can be found all over the country, with grassy and wooded spots being particularly high risk.
Most people with early symptoms of Lyme disease develop a circular red skin rash around a tick bite.
The rash can take up to three months to appear but most rashes will appear within the first month.
The rash can look like a bull's-eye on a dartboard. The skin will be red and the edges may feel slightly raised.
Not everyone with Lyme disease gets the rash, some people will flu-like symptoms like:
a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
headaches
muscle and joint pain
tiredness and loss of energy
But thankfully Lyme disease is easy to treat if it’s diagnosed early with the help of antibiotics.
You can prevent getting ticks by:
- Covering your skin while walking outdoors
- Tucking your trousers into your socks
- Using insect repellent
- Sticking to paths
- Wearing light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to spot and brush off
To remove a tick:
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool
Pull the tick as close to the skin as possible
Slowly pull upwards without squeezing the tick
Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water
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