Lyme Disease & Ticks

Lyme Disease is a disease that is carried by ticks.

A tick is a parasite that bites, attaches itself for up to a week, and swells as it feeds.

Anyone visiting Wicklow Mountains National Park should check for ticks, especially in the summer and autumn months. Parents should check any small children on their return home.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

A rash can appear 3—30 days after a tick bite. This rash starts at the bite a grows larger with time. Often the centre then fades giving a ’bulls-eye’ appearance.

• Fever
• Chills
• Headaches
• Stiff neck
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Joint pain
• Occasionally the heart, joints and nervous system are affected

Treatment

Lyme Disease is treated with a course of antibiotics.

What to do if you find a tick…

• Firstly—don’t panic! Ticks need to be attached for 24—48 hours before infection takes place.
• Remove the tick with tweezers, gripping close to the skin.
• Wash the area with soap and water.
• There may be a bit of redness and swelling after this. This is normal. However, if a rash or other symptoms develop, a doctor should be contacted.

How common is Lyme Disease?

Not common at all. In fact, we have never had a case reported to us here in the National Park.

In the UK there are believed to be about 1000 cases a year.

However, we do want our visitors to be aware of the disease, just in case.

For more information see:

http://www.ndsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/Vectorborne/LymeDisease/Factsheet/

Be Aware, but Don’t Worry