Today I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. I was bitten by four ticks 30 days ago, and had a red rash come up around one of the bites that soon started spreading…
As there was no ‘bullseye’, I didn’t think it was Lyme, I assumed it was just a reaction, especially as the rash wasn’t painful or itchy.
It WAS Lyme! Any rash around a tick bite is diagnostic. I didn’t know this. I was bitten at Shapwick Heath on the Somerset Levels…
I’ve since learnt some areas of the UK have a higher risk of Lyme, and the Somerset Levels is one of them. If you go out in the countryside, take care – stick to paths and try to avoid brushing up against vegetation: that’s how the ticks get on you.
Always check yourself over for ticks when you get home. The longer a tick is attached to you, the higher the chance of infection. If you find a tick, don’t panic, remove it carefully with a tick removal tool or tweezers, being careful not to squeeze the tick.
Keep an eye on the bite for the next month. If a rash starts to develop at the site of the bite in that time, go to your doctor ASAP! Explain that you were bitten by the tick and have now developed a rash at the site; they will prescribe antibiotics, usually Doxycycline, for at least three weeks.
You may be asked to have a blood test too, but these aren’t reliable; insist on starting the antibiotics immediately. Sometimes, you don’t get a rash, but if you get flu-like symptoms in the 30 days after a tick bite, go and see a doctor. It’s probably Lyme Disease and you’ll need antibiotics.
Many people with debilitating advanced Lyme Disease didn’t see the signs, or they just ignored them. Lyme Disease is usually curable in the early stages, but can become a chronic lifelong illness affecting every system in your body, if left untreated!
I’m not writing this to scare anybody, but because I was ignorant about the significance of the rash, and if it hadn’t been for my daughter badgering me to get it checked out, I’d not now be taking antibiotics for Lyme Disease. I wouldn’t even know I had it. especially as many of the later symptoms are confused with other illnesses.
A case in point is the fabulous musician Ren, who was only diagnosed with Lyme Disease six years after being infected! He really suffered in those years, spending much of the time in bed, too ill to get up, but not having a clue what he was suffering with.
I’m obviously no medical expert; all I’ve written here has come from my own research and experience, so in case there are some inaccuracies, learn more from Lyme Disease UK However, you get the picture… if this piece prevents just one person getting advanced Lyme Disease, I’d be delighted!
Prevention is better than cure, so please be careful out there! Don’t be ignorant of the dangers of ticks, rashes and Lyme Disease… Don’t be like me!
Carl is a fabulous wildlife photographer, specialising in birds. You can find links to his work and social media posts here.
