A new App has been launched in the Highlands today to track killer tick bites. These terrifying critters stalk the shores of Loch Ness and the Highlands of Scotland and some of them carry the debilitating Lyme Disease. So far, tick borne encephalitis has not been recorded in a human in the area – just as well as it is widespread in other parts of the world and can be fatal (there is no cure).
The new App will hopefully help fight against Lyme Disease and prevent the deadlier virus ever entering Scotland. Search for LymeApp on your mobile device to download the free tool.
If you suspect yo have an infected tick bite you should see a doctor without delay.
- Ticks that may cause Lyme disease are found all over the UK
- High-risk areas include grassy and wooded areas in southern England and the Scottish Highlands
- To reduce the risk of being bitten, cover your skin, tuck your trousers into your socks, use insect repellent and stick to paths
- If you are bitten, remove the tick with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool found in chemists
- Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water
- The risk of getting ill is low as only a small number of ticks are infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease
- You don’t need to do anything else unless you become unwell
- You should go to your GP if you’ve been bitten by a tick or visited an area in the past month where infected ticks are found and you get flu-like symptoms or a circular red rash
- These symptoms can include feeling hot and shivery, headaches, aching muscles or feeling sick