By Julie Morgan

Published at 11:10, Thursday, 22 March 2012

PEOPLE are being urged to look out for tick bites while walking in local wood and moorlands.

National Tick Bite week, which starts on Monday, is highlighting the dangers from the insect which causes a red skin rash and can lead Lyme disease which causes joint swelling, muscle pain, a high temperature and, in severe cases, facial paralysis.

Dr Nigel Calvert, NHS Cumbria’s associate director of public health, said: “Living in Cumbria it’s important that we’re all aware of what ticks and Lyme disease are and the importance of trying to avoid being bitten.

“We don’t want to cause alarm, just deliver a simple reminder.

“If anyone is out for the day in a woodland or moorland area I’d ask that they just use a bit of common sense, cover up where possible and keep an eye out for ticks, and bites, particularly on pets, who could carry a tick into the home.’’

And he added: “If anyone is worried about a bite or spots a rash developing then it’s important that they go and see their GP.

“A simple course of antibiotics should be able to do the trick, but the longer the infection is left to spread in people’s bodies the harder it is to treat and the symptoms can become debilitating.”

If bitten, people should keep an eye out for a red skin rash developing around the bite said to be similar to the bullseye on a dartboard.

If these symptoms appear people should go and see their GP.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk