Lyme Disease is an infection caused by a specific bacteria, which is transferred into the human body by ticks when they bite into skin. These blood sucking ticks are capable of spreading many life threatening diseases including Lyme Disease. Astonishingly, with our mild damp weather followed by dry spells, these ticks are flourishing in the UK. British scientists from Bristol University discovered nearly 300 ticks living in just one square metre of parkland. These green parklands are heavily used by people and pets, thereby putting them at risk of tick infections, most especially Lyme Disease.

Lyme Disease is not contagious because the disease can only be spread by a tick bite. The first few symptoms of Lyme Disease include a rash, flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, fever and chills. It is therefore absolutely imperative that you remove the tick/s as soon as possible. If you are displaying any of the above symptoms, try and get someone to check your body for any ticks. I recommend the use of a credit card size device called the Tick Remover Card which contains two different size tools for different size ticks and a magnifying lens to ensure proper removal of the tick. Be careful not to twist or crush the tick. The aim is to remove the tick in one piece and seal it in a plastic bag so that you can take it to your GP. It normally takes approximately twenty four hours for the bacteria to transmit within the body which is why current thought points to the use of antibiotics as soon as possible.

Lyme Disease, if not detected early, can result in many concerns including numbness, severe joint pain, memory loss, sleep disorders and even paralysis of the facial muscles. These symptoms usually appear months after the original tick bite.

Wherever you are, I think it important to carry the Tick Remover Card because the sooner you remove the tick and visit your GP, the greater the chances are of not getting Lyme Disease.

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