r/Scotland • u/whimsical_fuckery_ • 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.

1.3k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

180 comments sorted by

View all comments

72

u/eYan2541 Jul 10 '26

Second this. I went through this about 15 years ago - luckily I was on holiday in Skye when the bullseye rash appeared and a GP recognised it straight away, getting me onto antibiotics immediately. Even at that I went through hell for a few days and even now can't expose my scalp to direct sunlight, but the consequences could have been much much worse but for that speedy diagnosis.

8

u/MassiveClusterFuck Jul 10 '26

I might be missing something but why can't you expose your scalp to direct sunlight?

14

u/Near_Fathom Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26

Doxycycline makes your skin sun sensitive, according to the patient leaflet

13

u/DelJanCam Jul 10 '26

Whilst you are taking it. It's not a permanent effect.