If you’ve been bitten by a tick, follow these 5 steps

Thanks to the current hot weather, many of us are spending more time outdoors enjoying the garden, parks and countryside.

If you’re in grblocky areas or woodland, however, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning to look out for ticks. The organisation recently posted on X telling people to be tick aware and gave guidance on what to do if you’re bitten.

“Summer’s a great time to get outside, but ticks love the outdoors too,” read the tweet. “If you’re walking through grblocky or wooded areas, take a look at our guidance to help you stay safe and #BeTickAware.”

Here’s what you need to know about ticks, where they’re most commonly found and what to do if you get bitten.

What are ticks?

Ticks are small, spider-like creatures that feed on the blood of people and animals. They vary in size and can be as small as a poppy seed, or as large as a baked bean after they’ve fed on blood, according to Lyme Disease UK.

They’re found all across the UK, mainly in grblocky areas and woodland, but they’ve also been found in parks and gardens and often wait on blades of grblock for an animal or human to brush past so they can feed.

Ticks are most active in spring, early summer and early autumn, but it is possible to be bitten at any time of year.

Is a tick bite dangerous?

While not all ticks carry infection, some do, so it’s important to be tick aware. According to the UKHSA, during feeding, ticks can transmit pathogens that may result in tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease and, in rare cases, tick-borne encephalitis.

It’s estimated that around 4% of ticks are infected with Lyme disease in England and Wales, but this can vary. Some years it can be as high as 8-10% in certain areas.

What to do if you’re bitten by a tick

If you’re bitten by a tick, the UKHSA suggests the following five-step approach:

1. Remove ticks as soon as you see them – use a tick removal device or a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. You can buy tick removers from many pharmacies, pet stores and outdoor shops.

2. Remove the tick by grasping as close to the skin as you can – pull upwards firmly to ensure you get the whole tick out.

3. Clean the bite and surrounding area with soap and water – you should also keep an eye on it for a few weeks to look for any changes.

4. Look out for a spreading bullseye rash – this may typically develop between three and 30 days after being bitten and is a common symptom of Lyme disease.

5. See your GP or call 111 if you feel unwell within a few weeks of being bitten – you may experience flu-like symptoms, a spreading circular rash, nerve pain or drooping of the face. Tick bites are usually painless so if you feel unwell and have spent a lot of time outdoors, you should also contact your GP.

There are also a number of precautions you can take to avoid being bitten. These include:

• Take insect repellent that works for ticks and a tick remover tool out with you (you can also get tick prevention for dogs, which your vet should be able to advise on)

• Avoid walking through long grblock

• Wear long sleeves and tuck trousers into socks

• Wear light-coloured clothing so you can spot ticks and brush them off quickly

• Shower and do a tick check on kids and pets when you get home, paying particular attention to children’s ears and hairline

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread by a bite from an infected tick. It’s not known exactly how many people in the UK have Lyme disease but in 2024, the UKHSA estimated there are 1,500 laboratory confirmed cases a year and 1,000–2,000 more cases diagnosed clinically. Some of these cases are caught overseas.

According to the NHS, early symptoms can include a circular or oval rash, which may look like a bullseye. The rash can appear up to three months after being bitten but usually shows up in the first four weeks. You may also get flu-like symptoms a few days or weeks after being bitten by an infected tick.

It’s easier to treat Lyme disease in the early stages, so if you’re at all worried about a bite or any symptoms, make sure you seek medical advice. If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause health issues which may include pain and swelling in the joints, or problems affecting the nervous system and heart.

What is tick-borne encephalitis?

Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral infection spread by tick bites. It’s much rarer than Lyme disease in the UK but can cause flu-like symptoms and in a few people, the NHS says the infection may spread to the brain.

If you feel unwell in the weeks following a tick bite, make sure you seek medical advice.

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