Scotland is set for a warm spell with temperatures approaching 30C in parts of the central belt tomorrow.
With that in mind many Scots will want to take to the hills and countryside for a sun-soaked walk, but that could put them at risk for tick bites. In some cases getting bitten by a tick could lead to Lyme disease.
NHS Inform say that Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. They add that there are a high number of ticks in the Scottish Highlands.
The condition can cause pain and illness, and in some cases may lead to post-infectious Lyme disease, where symptoms persist even after treatment. The NHS Scotland experts urge people to know the symptoms in order to reduce risks, as the condition is usually easier to treat the earlier it's diagnosed.
One of the more obvious symptoms is a rash at the point where you have been bitten, reports the Mirror. Many report getting the circular or oval rash around the bite that "usually develops around 3 to 30 days after you've been bitten" according to NHS Inform.
Unlike other insect bites where the rash appears within hours, Lyme disease rashes can sometimes arise weeks or months after the tick bite. There are a number of lesser-known early warning signs which may be attributed to the disease.
Joint pain
The joints may also be inflamed, warm to the touch, painful and swollen.
The pain has been described as not severe, however, transitory.
Most often the large joints are affected with one or more experiencing the unusual sensation.
Night sweats
A person’s body temperature may fluctuate with Lyme’s disease, causing sweating at night.
Alongside the night sweats, facial flushing may also occur. According to one 2013 study, around 60% of Lyme disease sufferers experienced night sweats.
Vision changes
Experiencing sensitivity to the light with vision changes may be a lesser-known warning symptom of Lyme disease. A person may also experience a sensitivity to bright indoor lighting.
Studies have found that around 16% of adults with early Lyme disease suffered with light sensitivity. The same study also found around 13% reported their vision being blurry.
Other early signs potentially warning of Lyme disease include:
- A high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Tiredness and loss of energy
- Pain and swelling in joints
- Nerve problems
- Heart problems
- Trouble with memory and concentration.
A person doesn’t get Lyme disease as soon as a tick attaches to the body. Rather, in most cases, the tick will need to be attached to the body for up to 48 hours or more before the disease is actually transmitted.
The tick to watch out for is the nymph or the immature tick. They are less than 2mm and are difficult to spot, they also feed during the spring and summer.
Adult ticks are also dangerous though as they can be much larger in size but are more likely to be seen on the body before any damage is done.
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