Why every family needs to own a tick remover this summer
Eloise Hill
Content writerSpending loads of time outdoors in the countryside this summer? Having one of these is a must!
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With more hot weather on the way, we're all keen to make the most of the sunshine and escape to the countryside whenever we can.
But Public Health England and health experts are urging families to be aware of ticks – tiny creatures that lurk on trees and bushes and can cause harmful bites.
Although most tick bites won't require medical attention, certain ticks including wood ticks and deer ticks can cause something called Lyme disease, which can be debilitating.
Cases aren't common – there are around 1,500 laboratory-confirmed cases of Lyme disease in England and Wales each year – but they are increasing year on year AND it's thought that GPs are treating thousands more cases on top of the lab-confirmed numbers.
Luckily, there are precautions you can take while you're out, such as keeping arms and legs covered up or tucking trousers into socks to stop too much skin being exposed.
But what's really key is to check everyone once you've been out, or at the end of a walk.
If you do find a tick lurking, then the easiest thing to do is to remove it quickly with a tick remover – they're cheap and well worth including in your medicine cabinet or first aid kit. On Amazon, tick removers for humans (as well as pets) start from as little as £3.98. See more details here.
It's a bit like using tweezers to pull out a splinter!
Once you've removed the tick, wash your hands and clean the bite area with soap and water and an alcohol wipe. Dispose of the tick!
If you don't find any ticks, it's worth knowing what to look out for if you're spending lots of time outdoors this summer.
The classic sign that someone's been bitten by a tick is a bullseye type rash, a red dot with a red ring around it.
If you spot this or suspect your child may have been bitten by a tick, call your GP for treatment.
What are the signs and symptoms of Lyme Disease, and how is it treated? Find out here.
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