We talk quite a lot about tick prevention for our dogs, and how we go about that. But we don't really seem to think too much, or certainly talk about, what we do to keep ourselves safe. This is an important issue for me because I have a good friend who suffers from Chronic Lyme, following a tick bite in 2006. She has just spent ten weeks as an inpatient in hospital, where she gradually deteriorated to the point she couldn't walk. Two days after being able to string together sixteen steps for the first time, she was discharged because the doctors don't know what else to do with her, due to lack of guidelines for dealing with Chronic Lyme within the NHS. As a self-employed sports scientist, this has had a devastating effect on not just her health, but her business and livelihood. She now doesn't know how she is going to afford to pay her rent, bills, living expenses etc, let alone try to pay for private consultations and treatments with Lyme-literate doctors. It is a scary thing to see someone that was so fit and active lose so much. So, when you're thinking about protecting your dog, think about yourself, too. Use repellents where appropriate (they're not just for mozzies) and check yourself thoroughly when you get home. Use a mirror if you don't have someone to help you check the out-of-sight places. If you do find one, use a tick twister, or other approved method, to remove it safely, without risking it emptying its stomach contents into your blood stream. Awareness of LD is slowly being raised, but far too many people view a tick bite as simply disgusting, whereas the reality for a few unlucky people can be much more severe. Be safe
Timely advice Fiona. It is very easy to become complacent. In future I will douse myself when walking by water or in long grass.
Great advice We always check each others with my OH after walks even though there's not many ticks in our area. Have you heard about special bracelets for people? They're supposed to work kind of like dogs collars. My friend from work told me about them but haven't tried them yet so can't say if they work.
I don't think we were taught much about this. I have learned much more since having a dog. Most people I have come across with tick bites knew exactly what it was. Most had dogs or were very outdoorsy and aware.
I am vaccinated against myelitis encephalitis (meningitis), which can be carried by ticks here, though there is no vaccination against borreliosis (Lyme disease). We are very careful and check for ticks, but I am not obsessive about it - I just keep a look out. I just checked, and a tick is usually thought to have to be attached for 36-48 hours before transferring the borrelia bacteria, so prevention of bites and speedy removal of ticks is very important. Also knowing that a rash around the tick bite, or flu-like symptoms, require immediate antibiotics.
To my knowledge we have no tick borne encephalitis vaccines in the UK. There IS Japanese Tick Borne Encephalitis B which used to be available as a "special" and necessary for some visits.....I think it may have been a requirement to visit the UAE if you had first been to Asia. Not up to date on travel vacs. I would second Karen advice. Google tick bite. Know the rash. Rash or flu symptoms after a bite OR EVEN within a week of taking a tick off your dog if you have an odd target rash if you haven't seen one on yourself. And TELL your doc what you think it is.
Am so sorry about your friend Fiona,what a life changing effect it's had on her and her family and friends.All the other issues must be so stressful for her when the main thing is that she regains her health.You were right to bring this topic up...we don't think about ourselves so much x
My older son had a tick borne encephalitis vaccine in the UK from Superdrug of all places. He had it before a 1 month trip to Mongolia where it is rife apparently.
Thanks, Angela. Another friend has set up a crowdfunding site for her, so we can all help out a little. She spent all her savings putting herself through uni to get her sports science degree and now this - it truly sucks for her. But, she has a great and diverse group of friends who will do right by her. It's the day-to-day stuff that must be the hardest, because she doesn't have a partner and lives alone. It's mad to think you can get so ill and have it affect you so many years later, just from a little (disgusting) bug!
I have never been bitten by a tick in my life - even though I grew up in the med where we'd have to remove endless ticks from horses if we went out riding, and I walked the dogs every day. In shorts and flip flops. And never, ever, got bitten. Never got bitten by mosquitoes either even when the rest of the family was suffering and sleeping under nets. Maybe I taste bad...
For the record, I thought I would post this nhs information about Lyme Disease NHS Choices - Lyme Disease Also a link to the vaccine which Lochan mentioned. I think we are a low risk country in the UK so not usually indicated although I guess there may be some occupational reasons for getting it. Green Book - Tick-borne Encephalitis Vaccine
A very important thread, thanks Fiona, makes me squirm just reading this. David was bitten by a tick last weekend, we removed it pretty quickly but he had a very large read area about the size of a tea plate round the bite, but it seems fine now. Thomas has had a few when he has gone camping but the rest of us have never been bitten. Why do they bite some people and not others? Thanks for the links Jac xx
With a rash that big around the bite, I would have a blood test done at the doctor's Helen. Just to be sure. I've had several tick bites, but never got a reaction like that.
I agree with Karen. I would now treat any rash with antibiotics whilst waiting for a result. Did you see the picture Helen?
