Ticks are out in force now and they are beginning to gather in areas not typically associated with them. Whilst they are usually found in wooded or bracken filled areas where Deer roam, they are increasingly populating grassy areas and even parkland.

They will wait for something or somebody to brush past and once they land on the potential host they will often crawl into an area where they will be least noticed! Once they attach and start to feast they are difficult to remove and can spread a nasty infection called Lyme Disease.

Not all tick bites will lead to this but it is important to be aware of the risks and take action quickly if you are bitten and feel unwell or have inflammation around the bite.

If the area around a bite becomes red, angry and itchy or a ring forms around it – like a bullseye, seek medical attention as it is possible to treat the infection with antibiotics if you act early enough. Lyme Disease can attack internal organs and cause serious illness if left untreated.

Prevention is the best policy but if you do find a tick, remove as soon as possible with the right tools taking care to not leave any of it behind.

PREVENTING TICKETS BITES

There are simple steps you can take to help avoid picking up a tick bite. Here are the WALX top ‘tick tips’:

• Wear trousers, socks, boots and long sleeve tops whenever possible (even on hot days!) to help reduce direct exposure to ticks
• Wear light coloured clothing where possible so that ticks can be spotted quickly and brushed off
• Use a repellent which is effective against ticks on all areas of exposed skin – we prefer to use environmentally friendly products like to TICK OIL which comes in a roller ball or rub on oil
• Stick to clearly defined paths where possible to avoid brushing against overhanging vegetation where ticks may be hiding
• Use a picnic blanket or mat to sit on when in long grassy areas
• Carry out regular ‘tick checks’ after outdoor activities – remember they like creases and crevasses so check the back of knees etc.
• Keep a tick removal tool in your bag or in your first aid kit – see below
• Remember, ticks can be as small as a poppy seed or pin head and you won’t necessarily feel a tick attached to you
• Ticks love to attach in warm, damp places like armpits and behind the knees, so you need to check thoroughly…

WALX activities are so fun and good for you that we can’t let a few ticks put us off but we can make sure we’re all ‘tick aware’!

HOW TO REMOVE A TICK

These videos by Lyme Disease UK are really useful

This animation explains more about Lyme disease –  Click HERE

This video shows you how to remove a tick if you find one – Click HERE 

Why not carry a WALX tick card with you wherever you go – these credit card sized tick removers fit easily into a wallet or waist pack and have notches on that are sized for all types of ticks.

They even contain a magnifier to help you make sure that tiny dot is actually a tick! Click HERE to buy a tick card which also contains lots of info to help you BE TICK AWARE