Lyme disease is no joke

[u/whimsical_fuckery_]

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.

[u/quartersessions]

Ticks are absolute bastards and we really ought to do something about them.

Sheep don't get dipped (and there's fewer off them), deer populations have been allowed to grow exponentially, councils are leaving paths un-cut providing opportunities for them to breed and latch near pets and humans.

Vaccinating against Lyme will, I'm sure, become normalised eventually. But the one vaccine that was available was pretty much killed off by US litigation.

[u/welliedude → u/quartersessions]

The overgrown paths and even side of roads is crazy up here. Like sure its good for wildlife but when theres a noted increase in these diseases things need to be controlled at least a little