As summer fast approaches, people are being urged to try to protect themselves from Lyme disease, which is spread by the bite of ticks

According to Dr Paul McKeown of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), while most cases of Lyme disease are mild and non-symptomatic, in a small number of cases, the infection can be very severe, leading to serious nervous system, heart and joint disease.

The most common sign of infection is a skin rash, which is known as erythema migrans or bullseye rash, due to its appearance.

"Preventing Lyme disease means preventing tick bites. People are more likely to spend time outdoors in the spring and summer months. Anyone who spends time outdoors should protect themselves against tick bites. This includes ramblers, campers, mountain bikers, people who work or walk in woodland, parkland and heathland, especially in grassy areas," Dr McKeown explained.

Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures that feed on the blood of humans, animals and birds. They are more numerous and active in the summer months. Lyme disease tends to be most common in Ireland from April until the end of the summer as this is when ticks are most plentiful.

They are present everywhere in Ireland, including both urban and rural areas.

Ticks bite adult humans most commonly on the legs and arms, although they can bite any part of the body, especially warm and sweaty parts that are not covered by clothing. In children, ticks are most likely to bite around the head and neck, so these tend to be the best areas to check following time spent outdoors.

Tick bites can be prevented by:
-Wearing long trousers, long sleeved shirt and shoes
-Wearing a hat and tucking in hair
-Using an insect repellent preferably containing DEET
-Checking the skin, hair and warm skin folds (especially the neck and scalp of children) for ticks after a day out
-Checking for ticks and removing any from your pets/ clothing/ outdoor gear
-Removing any ticks and consulting with a GP if symptoms develop

Only a minority of ticks carry infection and if a tick is removed within the first few hours, the risk of infection is low. The entire tick, including its mouthparts which might break off, should be removed with a tweezers by gripping it close to the skin.

The skin where the tick was found should then be washed with soap and water and the area checked over the next few weeks for swelling or redness. You can view instructions on how to remove a tick here.

For more information on Lyme disease, click here.