Ticks are small, spider-like creatures that feed on human and animal blood. They’re found across the UK and are particularly common during the warmer months. While usually harmless, a small percentage of ticks in the UK carry Lyme disease – a bacterial infection which, if left untreated, can cause symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and muscle and joint pain.
Lyme disease was previously considered rare in the UK, but recent research suggests that cases may be on the rise, partly due to factors like climate change. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to be aware of ticks, and protect yourself and your pets from being bitten.
Here’s everything you need to know about ticks and Lyme disease.
What are ticks?
Ticks are small, spider-like creatures that feed on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans and dogs. While often mistaken for insects, ticks are actually arachnids – related to spiders, mites, and scorpions.
They look like tiny spiders and are generally black, reddish, or dark brown. Tick size can vary, but they’re often no larger than a sesame seed (1-3mm). However, after feeding, they can swell to the size of a coffee bean.
Numerous tick species are found in the UK, some of which carry harmful bacteria that can spread Lyme disease to humans, dogs, and cats. Ticks mainly live in areas of dense vegetation, such as gardens, parks, woodland, heathland, and long grass. They can’t jump or fly – instead attaching to animals or humans as they brush past.
Ticks are found all over the UK but, according to Woodland Trust, they’re most common in areas like the New Forest, the South Downs, Exmoor National Park, the Lake District, the North Yorkshire Moors, and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
Tick bites and Lyme disease – what are the symptoms?
Most tick bites are harmless. However, a small percentage of ticks carry Lyme disease – a bacterial infection that can spread to humans and animals.
Studies suggest that, on average, around 4% of ticks in England and Wales are infected with Lyme disease. Though, this can fluctuate across the year and in different areas. For example, in some places, the number of ticks carrying Lyme disease can average as high as 8-10%. According to research, Lyme disease is most common in Scotland and the southern counties of England.
It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of Lyme disease – particularly as it’s usually easier to treat if it’s caught early.
We’ll cover signs of Lyme disease in humans and pets below.
Symptoms of Lyme disease in humans
According to the NHS, early symptoms of Lyme disease include a circular or oval-shaped rash surrounding a tick bite – sometimes looking like the shape of a bullseye on a dartboard. The edges of the rash may also be slightly raised, have a darker or lighter centre, and gradually spread.
Tick bite rashes can appear pink, red, or purple on light skin – while on darker skin tones, they can be trickier to spot and may look more like a bruise. Lyme disease rashes typically appear within one to four weeks, but can develop up to three months after being bitten by an infected tick and last for several weeks.
A few days or weeks after being bitten by a tick infected with Lyme disease, you may also develop flu-like symptoms, such as a headache, high temperature, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue.
In some cases, more serious symptoms can appear months or years after being bitten by an infected tick. You can read more about the symptoms of Lyme disease on the NHS website.
Symptoms of Lyme disease in pets
Dogs and cats can get Lyme disease too – though it’s uncommon in cats.
Symptoms of Lyme disease can come and go, vary from pet to pet, and sometimes be difficult to spot. However, some of the most common signs listed by the PDSA include…
- Limping and swollen joints – often beginning in the joint closest to the tick bite
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite
- Swollen glands
- Drinking and weeing more
- Nerve problems
Unlike humans, pets don’t tend to get the classic ‘bullseye’ surrounding the tick bite.
Research suggests that Lyme disease cases may be on the rise
Ticks are active throughout the year in the UK, but the risk of being bitten is highest between spring and autumn.
However, recent research suggests that cases of Lyme disease may be rising in the UK. For example, in summer 2023, there were 882 acute cases of Lyme disease – an almost 40% increase from the 635 cases in 2022. This means that whilst Lyme disease isn’t common in the UK, it’s no longer considered rare.
Experts are suggesting that these trends could be the result of climate change. Milder winters, warmer springs, and an overall more humid climate is lengthening the period that ticks are active for. It’s also possible that a warmer climate could mean that tick species not normally found in the UK may start to appear in the coming decades.
How is Lyme disease treated?
Treatment for Lyme disease in humans
If you’ve been bitten by a tick or visited an area where infected ticks could be in the previous three months and have an oval-shaped rash or flu-like symptoms, it’s important to speak to your GP.
If your GP suspects you may have Lyme disease, they’ll prescribe you a course of antibiotics. If your symptoms are severe, you may be referred to a specialist in hospital so antibiotics can be administered directly into your vein.
The majority of people with Lyme disease get better after antibiotic treatment. While this can take longer for some people, symptoms should still gradually improve over time.
Treatment for Lyme disease in pets
If your pet is showing symptoms of Lyme disease, you should take them to be checked over by a vet. To diagnose Lyme disease, your vet will consider your pet’s symptoms, history of tick exposure, and possibly run blood tests (though these aren’t always accurate).
Most Lyme disease cases can be successfully treated with antibiotics, with many pets improving within 24-48 hours of starting them. Anti-inflammatory pain relief can sometimes be prescribed too if your pet is lame or suffering with joint pain.
You can read more about treatment for Lyme disease in pets on the PDSA website.
How can I reduce mine and my pet’s risk of Lyme disease?
Not all ticks in the UK carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. But it’s still important to be aware of the risk and do what you can to reduce your chances of being bitten.
The main way to do this is to avoid places known for ticks, such as long grass and woodlands. Though, we understand this might not always be possible.
Tick prevention for humans
To reduce your risk of getting bitten by ticks, it can also be useful to…
- Cover up your skin when walking outdoors in woodland, or in areas with long grass, and tuck your trousers into your socks
- Stay on waymarked paths and avoid long grass, where possible
- Wear light-coloured clothing, so that ticks are easier to see and brush off
- Apply insect repellent on your skin and clothes – preferably using products that contain DEET
- Regularly check for ticks on your clothes and skin and make sure none are brought into your home
Tick prevention for pets
Just like humans, it’s important to routinely check your pet’s fur for ticks after they’ve spent time outside – particularly in high-risk areas. Otherwise, ticks will feed on dogs or cats for up to a few days and only drop off once they’ve had enough. During this time, it’s possible that the tick could give your pet Lyme disease.
Ticks can be particularly difficult to spot on some breeds of dogs and cats, so it’s worth being particularly thorough if your pet has a long coat. Most common areas for ticks to attach to pets include the head, ears, belly, and armpits.
You might also like to invest in prevention methods such as a tick control collar. This Seresto flea and tick control collar is clinically proven to repel and kill ticks for seven to eight months. You can also buy tick treatments, which are applied to your pet’s skin from reputable retailers like Pets at Home.
However, it’s best to speak to your vet for advice on the right treatment for your pet.
Note: It’s important to never use dog tick medicine on cats, or vice versa. Some dog tick treatments contain chemicals that are toxic to cats, or even fatal.
What to do if you or your pet are bitten by a tick
If you or your pet are bitten by a tick, it’s important that you remove it safely and correctly, as soon as possible.
To remove a tick safely, the NHS advises that you…
- Use a tick-removal tool to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. If you don’t have a tick-removal tool, the next best thing to use are fine-tipped tweezers.
- Slowly pull upwards, being careful not to squeeze or crush the tick.
- Once removed, dispose of the tick.
- Clean the bite and surrounding area with antiseptic or a mix of soap and water.
For more tips on removing ticks, have a watch of the NHS video below…
Tick-removal tools are available to buy at some pharmacies, vets, and pet shops. You can also buy them online from Amazon. Once the tick has been removed, you don’t need to do anything else unless you develop a rash or become unwell.
Grasping the tick too far away from the skin risks leaving the tick’s head in. While this isn’t a nice thought, the NHS reassures us that while it may cause irritation, it should fall out by itself over time.
Lyme disease is only transmitted from the mouth of the tick directly into the bloodstream of its host – so you don’t need to disinfect clothing if a tick has been on it.
Final thoughts…
Research suggests that Lyme disease cases are on the rise in the UK, so it’s more important than ever to be aware of ticks, and take steps to protect yourself and your pets.
For further reading, head over to the general health section of our website. Here, you’ll find more spring and summer health content, from ways to protect yourself from sun damage to tips for staying cool during a UK heatwave.
Have you been bitten by a tick before? What are your top tips for avoiding them? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
