Can You Have Lyme Disease and Not Know It
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that tin can be spread to humans by infected ticks. It's unremarkably easier to treat if it's diagnosed early.
Symptoms of Lyme affliction
A round or oval shape rash effectually a tick bite tin can be an early symptom of Lyme affliction in some people.
The rash tin appear up to three months afterwards being bitten by an infected tick, just commonly appears within 1 to 4 weeks. It tin can final for several weeks.
The rash tin have a darker or lighter area in the heart and might gradually spread. It's not unremarkably hot or itchy.
The rash may be flat, or slightly raised, and expect pink, scarlet, or regal when it appears on white peel. It can exist harder to encounter the rash on brown and black skin and it may await like a bruise.
Some people likewise get influenza-like symptoms a few days or weeks after they were bitten past an infected tick, such as:
- a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
- headache
- muscle and joint pain
- tiredness and loss of energy
Other symptoms of Lyme disease
Some people with Lyme affliction develop more severe symptoms months or years after.
This is more probable if treatment is delayed.
These more severe symptoms may include:
- hurting and swelling in joints
- nerve problems – such as pain or numbness
- middle problems
- trouble with memory or concentration
The take chances of getting Lyme disease
Not all ticks in England carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
But information technology's yet important to exist aware of ticks and to safely remove them every bit soon as possible, just in case.
Ticks that may crusade Lyme illness are found all over the Britain, simply loftier-risk places include grassy and wooded areas in southern and northern England and the Scottish Highlands.
What are ticks?
Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures that live in woods, areas with long grass, and sometimes in urban parks and gardens. They're found all over the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland.
Ticks do not jump or fly. They attach to the peel of animals or humans that brush past them.
Once a tick bites into the peel, it feeds on blood for a few days before dropping off.
How to spot and remove ticks
Important
Tick bites are not e'er painful. You may not notice a tick unless you run into it on your skin.
Regularly bank check for ticks on your clothes and skin, and on children and pets after being outdoors.
To remove a tick safely:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool. You can buy these from some pharmacies, vets and pet shops.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Slowly pull upwards, taking care not to clasp or crush the tick. Dispose of it when yous have removed it.
- Clean the seize with teeth with antiseptic or soap and water.
The chance of getting ill is depression. You do non need to practise annihilation else unless y'all notice a rash or become unwell.
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
- you've been bitten by a tick or visited an area in the past iii months where infected ticks could be
and you lot accept:
- flu-like symptoms – such as feeling hot and shivery, headaches, agonized muscles or feeling sick, or
- a round or oval shape rash
Tell them if you have recently been in forests or grassy areas.
Information:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: how to contact a GP
Information technology'south nevertheless of import to go help from a GP if you need it. To contact your GP surgery:
- visit their website
- use the NHS App
- call them
Find out about using the NHS during COVID-xix
What happens at your appointment
The GP will enquire well-nigh your symptoms and consider whatsoever rash or contempo tick bites you know about.
Lyme disease tin be difficult to diagnose. It has similar symptoms to other conditions and at that place'due south non ever an obvious rash.
2 types of blood test are available to help confirm or rule out Lyme disease. But these tests are not always accurate in the early on stages of the disease.
Y'all may need to be retested if you still have Lyme disease symptoms after a negative result.
Treatment from a GP
If a GP thinks yous might accept Lyme disease, they'll prescribe a course of antibiotics.
The antibiotics you lot're given will depend on your symptoms, simply you may need to take them for up to 28 days. It'due south important to finish the class, fifty-fifty if you beginning to feel better.
Some people with severe symptoms volition exist referred to a specialist in hospital so antibiotics tin can exist given directly into a vein.
Most people with Lyme disease get better after antibody handling. This can take months for some people, merely the symptoms should improve over time.
People with symptoms of Lyme disease that last a long fourth dimension subsequently treatment may be referred to a specialist in hospital for advice and more blood tests.
Important
Some websites offering tests and handling for Lyme illness that may not be supported by scientific testify.
Speak to a doctor for advice before buying tests or treatment online.
How to avoid tick bites
To reduce the adventure of being bitten:
- encompass your skin while walking outdoors and tuck your trousers into your socks
- use insect repellent on your clothes and skin – products containing DEET are all-time
- stay on clear paths whenever possible
- wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to run into and brush off
Ongoing symptoms of Lyme disease
A few people who are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease proceed to have symptoms, like tiredness, aches and loss of energy, that can terminal for years.
These symptoms are often compared to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Information technology's non clear why this happens to some people and not others. This ways there'due south besides no agreed treatment.
Speak to a doctor if your symptoms come back, or do not improve, after treatment with antibiotics.
The doc may be able to offering you further back up if needed, such as:
- referral for a care needs cess
- telling your employer, schoolhouse or higher pedagogy establishment that you require a gradual render to activities
- communicating with children and families' social intendance
Page last reviewed: 05 July 2021
Next review due: 05 July 2024
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Source: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/
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