Walkers have been warned to be aware of bites from a particular insect which tends to emerge in spring, as being bitten can lead to 'serious conditions'.
North Somerset Council is urging people to take notice of ticks when they are out enjoying the sunshine. The bugs can give humans Lyme disease if they are not careful and the council has shared some tips to protect yourself.
In a post on Facebook yesterday, the council wrote: "Enjoying the beautiful spring weather? If you're out and about enjoying our beautiful North Somerset countryside remember to #BeTickAware."
It shared a photo of the distinctive rash that could be a sign that you've been bitten. The post continued: "A common early sign of #LymeDisease is a circular rash that looks like a bulls-eye and might get bigger. But not everyone gets a rash – sometimes Lyme Disease might feel like mild flu."
And the council's website gives more information on what ticks are and how you can protect yourself. The site says: "Ticks are small, spider-like creatures that feed on the blood of animals and people and their bites can cause very serious conditions if left untreated, including Lyme disease.
"They can be found throughout the year but are most active between spring and autumn so be careful when walking through fields or woodland." Some of the council's tips to avoid being bitten include walking on clearly defined paths, avoiding dense vegetation and using repellents such as DEET.
The local authority also suggests wearing light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to spot and brush off, and checking your clothes and body regularly when you’re outdoors and again when you get home. According to the council, there are several effective ways to spot tick bites.
Their website says: "Look out for anything as tiny as a freckle or a speck of dirt. Ticks prefer warm places on the body, especially the groin area, waist, armpits, behind the knee and along hairlines.
"Young children are more commonly bitten around the head, so be extra careful to check around the neck, behind the ears and on the scalp."
According to the council, if you have been bitten, you should remove the tick as soon as possible. You should use a pair of sterilised tweezers and grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible, pull upwards slowly and firmly, removing as much of the tick as you can.
You are then advised to apply antiseptic to the bite area and keep an eye on it for several weeks to check for any changes. However, the council also advises that if you begin to feel unwell, you should contact your GP or call NHS 111 and remember to tell them you were bitten by a tick.
