עקיצות קרציות: איך לזהות ולטפל 

Spending time in nature is great for your health. However, when enjoying the great outdoors, walking in woodlands or strolling through grassy areas can come with certain pitfalls - such as ticks.

The common tick, often found in fields or woods, are tiny eight-legged creatures which survive by attaching themselves to your skin and feeding off your blood.

Tick numbers are on the rise, and while only a few are harmful to human health, it's important to be aware of these disease-carrying pests, how to remove them from your body, and how to treat their bites.

What does a tick look like?

To the naked eye, a tick may be almost undetectable when first attached to your skin. Over a period of time - up to around 36 hours - the tick will gradually become bloated from consuming blood and will be easier to notice.

Ticks burrow into the skin of their host, meaning that if one has attached, you may only see part of their body - which swells as blood is consumed. A bulging tick may look like a black or brown bean against the skin.

How to remove a tick

It's important to remove ticks carefully to prevent the spread of infection. As the visible end of a tick may be bloated with blood and bacteria, you should avoid squashing the body when removing the tick as this may cause the release of harmful bacteria into your bloodstream.

Special tick removal tools are available from pharmacies. These grip the underside of the tick and help removal without putting pressure on the body of the tick. Tweezers can be used, but only if you're careful.

How can I tell if I've been bitten?

Ticks will usually drop from the skin when they're full, often without you noticing. So, it's important to be aware of the tell-tale signs of a tick-bite. If ticks attach, then drop from your skin unnoticed, they will often leave a mark behind. This may look like a red patch, bruise, or rash.

"Tick bites usually aren't painful, although you may get some itching," says Amuthan. "The tell-tale sign of a tick bite is the bulls-eye rash - a rash that is red at the centre, with an extra ring of red skin around it, which may grow bigger over time. A tick bite might also look like a bruise on darker skin. Some people get flu-like symptoms as a result of a tick bite."

Bulls eye rash

Do you always get Lyme disease from a tick bite?

While having a tick bite may feel alarming, only a few of ticks in the UK carry the bacterium that causes מחלת ליים. Other infectious diseases transmitted to humans from ticks include tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), which is quite common in some parts of Europe, and Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF).

Even if you are bitten by a tick carrying infectious bacteria, the chances of falling ill from a tick bite are low if the tick was not attached for a long period of time - around 36 hours. A tick that has not attached or can be easily removed from the skin is extremely unlikely to have passed on any harmful infection. However, do speak to your doctor if you are worried.

Where are ticks most common?

Ticks carrying Lyme disease bacteria might be found anywhere in the UK. However, according to Amuthan, the most common areas for Lyme disease infection are currently grass and woodlands in the south and north of England as well as the Scottish Highlands. While this shouldn't put you off taking a stroll in these areas, you should always check for ticks afterwards as a precaution.

איך אני יכול להגן על עצמי?

Simple measures can reduce your chances of being bitten by a tick. Use an insect repellent and cover up your skin, especially on the lower half of your body. Wear trousers rather than shorts and tuck the end of your trouser legs into your socks to lower the odds of a tick attaching to your skin. After walking through a wooded or grassy area check yourself, your pet, and your children for ticks.

How to treat a tick bite

While your chance of developing Lyme disease is small, if you have been bitten by a tick or develop a rash, it's important to seek medical treatment.

If a doctor thinks you might have a tick bite and sees the bull's eye rash, they will often offer antibiotics. These can treat Lyme disease and prevent further complications. Sometimes, a blood test will be offered - especially if the bull's eye rash is not present - although due to the delay before results, antibiotics are often prescribed as a precaution until results are known.

Keep calm and carry on

The health benefits of walking, exploring nature, spending time outdoors or breathing fresh air outweigh the small chance of being bitten by an infectious tick. However, knowing how to recognise, treat and protect yourself is important. Understanding how to tackle the issue if it happens means you can go back to enjoying the great outdoors without worrying too much.