Lyme Disease Fact Sheet – Survival and Bushcraft

WHAT IS Lyme disease?

• Lyme disease is caused by a corkscrew shaped bacteria called Borrelia
• Lyme disease can be transmitted via a tick bite
• Ticks can carry other infections such as Anaplasma and Babesia
• Ticks are arachnids and can be as small as a poppy seed

RISK OF LYME DISEASE

• Infected ticks can be found all over the UK
• Infected ticks are found in woodland and parkland, but can also be found in urban parks and even gardens
• You can be infected in any month, but it is most likely in spring/summer
• The Big Tick project found ticks on 1 in 3 dogs

PREVENTION IS CRUCIAL

• Shower and check for ticks when you get home. Prevention is crucial
• Wear insect repellent during outdoor activities and consider treating outdoor clothing with permethrin
• Avoid walking through long grass and stick to pathways
• Wear light coloured clothing and brush off any visible ticks
• Wear long sleeves and long trousers
• If you have to walk in long grass, tuck trousers into socks:
  • Shower and check for ticks when you get home
  • Also use tick prevention on your pets and thoroughly check them for ticks after they have been outdoors

REMOVING A TICK

• Never pull off a tick with your fingers, normal tweezers or any other tool not designed for the job
• Never smother the tick in oil or vaseline
• Carefully remove it using a tick remover or a pair of very fine tipped tweezers, ensuring all parts of the tick are removed
• If you save the tick, it can be tested for infections
• There is no minimum time a tick needs to be attached to pass an infection, however do remove it as soon as possible

DIAGNOSING LYME DISEASE

• Lyme disease can be hard to diagnose
• Tick bites are easily missed and are not normally itchy or painful
• Many people will not get the classic ‘bull’s-eye’ rash
• Other symptoms to look out for are ‘summer flu’, headaches, fatigue, joint pain and behavioural changes
• A blood test cannot rule out Lyme disease
• Less than 3% of GPs have taken the RCGP course on Lyme disease (as at Feb 2017)

TREATING LYME DISEASE

• Early treatment is key
• Treatment should be started immediately if a ‘bull’s-eye’ rash is present
• Your GP will be able to advise on the best antibiotics for you, however doxycycline is commonly prescribed to adults and amoxicillin to children
• The RCGP course states that antibiotics should be repeated until all symptoms cease
• The NHS does not normally recommend treating prophylactically unless pregnant or immunocompromised

For any further information visit lymediseaseuk.com

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