NHS Lanarkshire’s outgoing chief government has shared her private expertise of contracting Lyme Illness as a brand new marketing campaign was launched to boost consciousness of the hazard of tick bites.
Heather Knox, who's retiring from the position in November, revealed how she was recognized with the illness after being bitten by a tick from a deer final yr and was handled with antibiotics, and is encouraging individuals to take precautions to make sure they'll forestall it occurring to them.
The Scottish Authorities marketing campaign comes after a brand new survey revealed over half of individuals in Scotland (54 per cent) don’t know what to do when bitten by a tick. Virtually two thirds of individuals in Scotland have both been bitten by a tick or know somebody who has. It’s necessary to behave shortly if a tick is discovered on the physique.
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Folks throughout Lanarkshire are being inspired to pay attention to the early indicators and search medical recommendation if involved to stop critical an infection.
Ms Knox, stated: “I used to be recognized with Lyme illness final yr after being bitten by a tick from the deer that come into our backyard. I had flu like signs and a excessive temperature for a number of days adopted by the Lyme illness rash.
"Wanting again now I used to be truly fairly fortunate that I used to be recognized so shortly and given antibiotics. I feel it might have been loads worse. I've now put in a deer fence and I'm very cautious to put on lengthy trousers when out strolling. Hopefully my story helps to boost consciousness amongst others to take care and comply with the recommendation.”
In accordance with the analysis two thirds of individuals aren’t conscious of the earliest and most typical signs of Lyme illness, which embody a purple round rash on the pores and skin, typically described as trying like a bullseye on a dart board. Folks can even expertise chilly or flu-like signs equivalent to tiredness, complications and muscle or joint ache.
Ticks could be present in wooded and grassy areas, so preventative measures when outdoor, equivalent to sticking to pathways as a substitute of going by way of lengthy grass, utilizing a repellent spray on clothes and never exposing pores and skin will help scale back the chance of being bitten.
Scotland has 1 / 4 of UK circumstances of Lyme illness, and Professor of Molecular Microbiology for the College of Glasgow, Tom Evans, strengthened that prevention is vital to lowering the chance of great an infection.
He stated: “Ticks are in peak season in summer season, and with individuals spending extra time outdoor it’s necessary that they take steps to stop changing into in poor health from Lyme illness.
“If you happen to do get bitten, it's best to take away the tick as quickly as doable to stop an infection. Utilizing fine-tipped tweezers to softly grip the tick as near the pores and skin as doable, pull it steadily away from the pores and skin with out twisting or crushing it. Particular tick removers are additionally out there from most pharmacies. You need to wash the realm with water and cleaning soap afterwards and apply an antiseptic cream.
“Lyme illness could be troublesome to detect, and whereas most circumstances are gentle, if not discovered early it might have critical and lifelong unwanted side effects. Due to this fact it’s actually necessary to pay attention to any signs within the weeks following a tick chew so it may be successfully handled.”
For extra details about ticks go to: nhsinform.scot/lyme-disease
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