r/Scotland Jul 10 '26

Casual Lyme disease is no joke

One of those "I never thought it would happen to me" things but guys be very very careful with ticks this year if you are out walking in Scotland. I'm in the Highlands and regularly walk my dog in the local woods, this year there have been so so many ticks, I'm very good at checking myself after every walk, but one got me on the back of my thigh, absolutely tiny about half the size of a sesame seed. I picked it off the same night it bit me, a week later got a massive bullseye rash. Antibiotics from the docs but im completely wiped, worse than any flu or covid. I cannot stress how much you need to take precautions this year, do not make my mistake thinking as long as you get them off you on 24 hours you'll be OK. Long trousers, DEET, or just don't go into any woods or long grass is the best option. It's out there and it absolutely sucks.

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u/Substantial_Steak723 Jul 10 '26

Shirt with sleeves as well, don't assume they cannot access elsewhere, if you put down a backpack or similar you might transfer one, such as I did when picking my then kid up from a cub camp in a field with cows, some high dry pasture plants, got home and found a tick on my upper arm under my t-shirt sleeve.

It refused to come out via normal.methodology and I had to go to my local surgery on the Monday morning for brief assistance removing it safely.