Enjoying outdoor exercise safely during the lockdown?

With the recent good weather and temporary closure of our usual indoor leisure activities, we are all taking to the outdoors more than ever.  In order to support NHS services and prevent further cases of Lyme disease this summer, we all need to be aware of how to prevent tick bites and know what to do if we are bitten and become unwell.

Basingstoke Gazette:

UK registered charity, Lyme Disease UK, is kicking off its fourth ‘Wake Up to Lyme’ campaign in May, International Lyme Awareness Month.  The campaign aims to:

  • Alleviate pressure on NHS services by reducing the incidence of patients seeking medical attention for tick bites 
  • Make local communities aware of how to prevent tick bites and reducing the likelihood of more people contracting Lyme disease 
  • Share advice on how to safely remove a tick 
  • Inform people that if they do become unwell following a tick bite, they should seek early treatment from their GP to stand the best chance of recovery and avoiding complications

View our short campaign animation here. We will be sending posters and leaflets to pharmacies around the UK and sharing awareness and prevention information every day throughout May on our social media platforms (LDUK Online Community on Facebook, on Instagram @LymeDiseaseUK and on Twitter @UKlyme using the hashtag #wakeuptolyme.)

We hope that our awareness campaign reduces the number of new infections this spring/summer and educates people on how to enjoy the outdoors.

Key facts about Lyme disease:

  • Lyme disease is usually transmitted by the bite of an infected tick.
  • Ticks carrying the bacteria that causes Lyme disease have been found in all counties across the UK, including urban parks and gardens.
  • Not everyone who is bitten by an infected tick will get the typical bull’s-eye rash and rashes can be atypical in appearance. Patients with Lyme disease rashes are often misdiagnosed with ringworm, cellulitis and eczema.
  • It is important to seek medical attention for a tick bite if you either feel unwell or find a rash following a tick bite.
  • Early treatments crucial to prevent long term symptoms and complications.

For further information on Lyme disease, go to: Lyme Disease UK