A Cautionary Tale About Ticks
Lyme Disease
Signs and Symptoms of Untreated Lyme Disease | Lyme Disease | CDC
Please be aware, particularly when you walk in the local woods where deer run free. Lyme disease is caused by the bite of a deer tick. Sometimes you will see the effect, the tick or the characteristic red ring.
However, not everyone has a 'red ring' reaction, and not everyone sees or is aware of the bite. If the bacterial infection develops into Lyme disease, you may not necessarily be aware for a long time. Not all doctors are aware of the risks.
I, a local rambler, believe I had a bite on my scalp last autumn at the same time as I had other medical issues. I put the symptoms down to other things, as did my GP. I was only tested for it when my husband wrote to my GP in May to suggest a test because I walk for at least 2 hours every day with my dogs in Chawton Park Woods. The results immediately flagged Lyme, and I was put on to antibiotics, but not before I thought I was going mad with all the symptoms coming and going. The full blood workup takes an additional 2 to 4 weeks, but you must start taking the antibiotics regardless.
If you are unsure what the problem is, take a look at the information available on the web and get a blood test for Lyme. If untreated, Lyme disease can cause major organ failure at worst and long-term side effects even if you recover. Think twice about walking unprotected in woodland in shorts, flip-flops and a t-shirt. A good quality insect repellent, containing DEET, is good, but don't forget to spray over your hair and neck. The ticks can drop down from overhead greenery!
Other sources of information are
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/
https://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/
Please take care and we want you to enjoy rambling.
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