Recent research is highlighting the increased risk of farmers and others working in agriculture to potentially contracting Lyme Disease after being bitten by infected ticks and this was a theme on the RSABI Health Hut at NSA Scotland Scotsheep.
Research by Moredun highlights that the numbers of ticks in Scotland is increasing and ticks are spreading across the country. The factors that are contributing to this increase include a change in climate – we are all aware that we are having more wet summer and milder winters - a reduction in sheep dipping in some areas and an increase in number of deer which offer a host for ticks.
The Lyme Resource Centre (LRC) in Fife also confirms that changing deer distribution is a contributing factor in the prevalence of Lyme disease. Research in 2021 by the LRC states that Scotland has 25% of UK cases of Lyme disease, with a larger percentage found in the Highlands and Islands.
Lyme disease occurs when people are bitten by an infected tick. There are around 20 different species of ticks in the UK, with the species lxodes ricinus most likely to bite humans. This is also known as the sheep/deer/castor bean tick. Research from LRC in 2024, which involved surveying people who had been bitten by infected ticks, highlighted that 60% of people who had been bitten were exposed while in local fields, woodland and farmlands, and 20% of that total were in gardens.
The most well-known symptom of Lyme Disease is a rash called erythema migrans (EM) which looks like a bull’s eye target. It is thought that only two thirds of patients with Lyme Disease experience this rash, but people who don’t have a rash can still have Lyme Disease. The rash usually appears within 1 to 4 weeks after the bite but can appear as early as 3 days or as late as 3 months after the bite. The rash does not always occur at the bite site.
If you notice a bull’s eye target rash after a day outdoors, please immediately seek medical advice as early treatment increases the chance of people of returning to full health. If left untreated, it can develop into a chronic, debilitating and disabling condition.
Research carried out by LRC in 2024 states that 73% of people who developed Lyme Disease have ongoing symptoms, with the most common symptom being fatigue, closely followed by sleep impairment.
All these ongoing symptoms can have a detrimental effect on all aspects of life, from being not able to fully work to having issues with relationships. If you feel that you need any support with day to day living, whether you have been diagnosed with Lyme Disease or not, please contact RSABI on 0808 1234 555 for financial, practical or emotional support.
Other symptoms of Lyme Disease include flu-like symptoms, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, neck stiffness, fever and sweats. Symptoms such as facial palsy and heart problems may occur within weeks or months of the initial bite.
Lyme Disease UK states that diagnosing Lyme Disease can be challenging for health professionals, due to the variability of symptoms. As symptoms are non-specific, they can mimic so many other conditions such as ME /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This means that the chance of misdiagnosis is high.
The best way to reduce your risk of developing Lyme disease is prevention. Charities such as LRC and Lyme Disease UK have produced awareness leaflet and posters which outline what simple steps that can been taken to reduce your risk of Lyme Disease.
- Wear long sleeved tops and tuck your trousers into your socks, avoiding bare skin being exposed
- Light-coloured clothing helps to see ticks more easily
- Use an insect repellent which is effective against ticks during gathering the hills or other outdoor activities
- Treat your clothing with the insect repellent permethrin before you set out if you can.
- Carry a tick removal tool or tick removal cards
- Check yourself, your children and your pets regularly for ticks and brush off any that are unattached.
- Shower and do a thorough tick check after being outside. Don’t forget the groin, hairline, behind the ears, and places where ticks are hard to spot.
Further information and resources are available from:
Lyme Disease UK at https://lymediseaseuk.com/
Lyme Research Centre https://www.lymeresourcecentre.com/
Public Health Scotland https://publichealthscotland.scot/our-areas-of-work/health-protection/infectious-diseases/lyme-disease/overview/
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