Lyme Disease - We are all at risk

Oooh..nasty!

Dee21 said

Oooh..nasty!

I'm really sorry to put you through seeing my leg, should have marked the thread NSFW  :)

Thank you for the posting and the attached info.

rimфsky° lol..I've just looked again!..thought it was your arm..should've gone to specsavers (:)

Thank you for sharing...

Probably a thing people should be more aware of.

Edited by LifeModel

I have had two tick bites, one from Scotland and one from Norfolk. Both times I didn't realise until I discovered the ticks about 24 hours after (I guess they become more visible the more blood they take from you and grow in size).

I had the bullseye rash on both occasions but had to literally fight for antibiotics from my GP's surgery as they just are not clued up in this area. 

Apparently you are more likely to get bitten if you are blood group A+ (that's what I am). :( 

I always spray myself with antitick spray when I an shooting outdoors ( I have it standard in the car)
Also I check every time I get back from a shoot. 

Many bites are from immature ticks and these are much harder to see. I carry Tom 'O Tick removers in my rucksack just in case. They are inexpensive and designed to remove ticks safely, without leaving the head behind. Removal must be done carefully and if done correctly it can reduce the risk even if the tick is infected. Another thing to bear in mind only 90-95% of infected bites produce the classic bullseye appearance so you can't assume you haven't been infected. Also tho k about any flu-like symptoms after a bite. Also, the initial symptoms are pretty minor, but the real problems can occur years later with neurological effects.

Ticks are widespread in Spain and there is considerable risk of them being brought into the house by the dog.  She has fairly long hair so they are easy to miss, so she has to take pretty expensive anti-tick medication every 5 weeks.

I used to do a lot of vermin control, mostly rabbits and I would come across ticks on virtually every outing, I’m surprised I have never been bitten but I used to delouse my ferrets and Spaniel all the time. One tick bite on my ferrets neck became infected and he needed veterinary attention and almost died. Ticks have been around for millions of years and very capable and adaptable parasites. Lyme disease is something I only recently heard of but I understand it’s very debilitating and can last for very long periods, even years.

Richard Winn said

Many bites are from immature ticks and these are much harder to see. I carry Tom 'O Tick removers in my rucksack just in case. They are inexpensive and designed to remove ticks safely, without leaving the head behind. Removal must be done carefully and if done correctly it can reduce the risk even if the tick is infected. Another thing to bear in mind only 90-95% of infected bites produce the classic bullseye appearance so you can't assume you haven't been infected. Also tho k about any flu-like symptoms after a bite. Also, the initial symptoms are pretty minor, but the real problems can occur years later with neurological effects.

I have been conscious of and taken avoidance measures against Lyme Disease for a long time now.  As part of my research I became aware of the issues you raise about bites not being obvious.

In fact there are a number of high profile cases where individuals and families are fighting the government/NHS on the subject.  They feel they are suffering the neurological deficits of advanced LD but cannot prove definitively if or when they were bitten.  Instead of the NHS saying 'what the hell' and just giving them the treatment anyway they are having to go abroad for v expensive treatment elsewhere.

So I'm just underlining your points.  If any model or photographer has been in grassy countryside - especially where there are deer, I understand - and come back feeling unwell after a day or so, don't pass it off as flu but check out the possibility of LD immediately.  Your life as you know it could depend on it.

rimфsky° said

This is a warning for both photographers & models or anyone in the great outdoors, the photo was taken after I had started a strong course of antibiotics. NHS Direct has some useful info

I was infected in the Outer Hebrides but the disease is in many parts of the UK now. I was wearing jeans and walking boots (my Doctor asked if I had been wearing shorts). It is important to seek medical advice as soon as you become aware of any of the symptoms.

My own Doctor is married to a leading expert in infectious diseases and my photo is now being used to train new Doctors, and in refresher courses for all Doctors so hopefully more of the profession will become aware of the symptoms and the treatment.

Only about 30% of Lyme disease infections show this classic "bullseye" rash.

If you start to feel "flu" type symptoms 2 weeks after a tick bite, you need to insist on antibiotics.

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/lyme-disease

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/sep/25/parts-of-uk-identified-as-high-risk-areas-for-lyme-disease

https://www.bds.org.uk/index.php/advice-education/lyme-disease

https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/transmission/index.html

Random side notes: an insect repellent is a great idea but if doing photography remember that DEET is a solvent! It may affect the plastic and rubber of your camera over time. Known to affect car steering wheels/gear sticks. Pretty nasty stuff anyway.

Permethrin works (good for treating clothes, the army use it) but you should probably not use it if you have cats; it is toxic to them (not dogs).

Picaridin/Icaridin is effective, apparently.

Edited by Michael H.

High risk areas for Lyme Disease include Exmoor, the New Forest and other rural areas of Hampshire, the South Downs, parts of Wiltshire and Berkshire, parts of Surrey and West Sussex, Thetford Forest in Norfolk, the Lake District, the North York Moors and the Scottish Highlands (Guardian 2017).

Since I've heard of several cases of Lyme Disease in the New Forest which is near to me (in humans and more frequently in dogs) I would never ask a model to pose naked in grassy areas of the forest where you are more likely to find the ticks. There is absolutely no way that I'd lie down in the grass in the forest so I wouldn't expect anyone else to. When a photographer is working with a model outdoors the photographer should be responsible for the model's safety and models should be made aware of the potential risks of being bitten by ticks and being infected by Lyme Disease. The photo posted by the OP shows the classic Lyme disease rash looking like a bullseye on a dart board - if you get a rash like this you need to see a doctor immediately.