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Woman Shares Photos Of Tick Bites To Raise Awareness Of Lyme Disease

Woman Shares Photos Of Tick Bites To Raise Awareness Of Lyme Disease

Kate Allen came up in blistering bumps which spread across the skin, with some reaching 12 inches in width, after taking her dog for a walk.

Ciara Sheppard

Ciara Sheppard

You might think walking your dog in the park is a pretty risk-free exercise, but one woman had quite a different experience after she contracted Lyme Disease.

Kate Allen, 28, is warning people about the infection after she contracted it from a tick hiding in the grass while taking her pooch for a daily walk.

The mum shared a photo of the early signs of the disease, which shows spotted raised bumps on her skin after walking through the long grass in 30 degree heat.

SWNS

Just three days later, the spots had become expanding circular red areas on both legs, known as a 'bullseye' rash. Soon after, the blistering boils spread across her thighs and she then became lethargic and feverish.

Kate decided to go to a pharmacist, who then referred her to a doctor.

The Leicester-based mum-of-three said: "I almost didn't go doctors as it wasn't painful but if you look up just how serious this can be I'm so so glad I did.

"All I did was go on a family dog walk in a field - I didn't notice straight away. That is the worrying thing. I did start to notice the bites later in the evening.

"The symptoms began when I started to feel very tired. I had a temperature and became more forgetful than usual."

In total, Kate developed 15 bullseye rashes with some reaching 12 inches across the skin. She was prescribed a 21-day course of antibiotics to treat the disease and stop it from spreading.

SWNS

Kate shared a picture of her rash to help raise awareness for the disease which has since shared over 187k times.

She said: "I would urge anyone to keep an eye on any bites as I shrugged it off only went to the pharmacist as I googled the rash and they insisted going doctors straight away.

"I still feel very worried as the antibiotics aren't a guarantee.

It's great to see the power of social media in a positive light to spread awareness.

"I would have never known about this until I went to the pharmacist. I'm still waiting for my next appointment for check up."

SWNS

Lyme Disease is commonly caught through ticks who have already been infected by another animal.

The small member of the spider family can bite into flesh and transmit the disease.

Ticks are active from spring through to autumn, when most of us are outside enjoying the sun and nature.

The blood-sucking mites are generally found in woodlands, grasslands, heaths and urban paths, waiting on the tips of vegetation and long grass waiting for their host to brush past.

In May, Public Health England has issued a warning for parents to protect their children from ticks this summer, recommending avoiding long grass and always wearing insect repellent. Ticks are more common in summer as they come up from underground looking for food.

While most ticks will be harmless, you should still remove it as soon as possible. To remove, grab a pair of tweezers and clasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, pulling gently upwards and out, making sure you take the mouth part with you.

Other symptoms of Lyme Disease include a high temperature, feeling hot and shivery, headaches, muscle and joint pain, tiredness and loss of energy.

PHE estimates there could be around 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of Lyme Disease occurring in the UK every year.



Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: Real, Health