Be Tick Aware
27 Mar 2025
Tick Bite Prevention Week (25 – 31 March) is an annual campaign that aims to increase awareness of ticks and the infections they carry such as Lyme disease, and how to remove them safely and quickly.
Ticks are small, spiderlike creatures that live in many different outdoor environments, but they are particularly common in grassy and wooded areas. You are more at risk of being bitten when taking part activities such as hiking, cycling or camping, but ticks can also sometimes be found in urban gardens.
There are a variety of simple ways you can reduce your chances of being bitten and if you are bitten, what you can do to safely remove a tick:
Decrease your chances of getting bitten:
- apply a repellent
- wear long sleeves and trousers to reduce direct skin exposure
- keep to clearly marked pathways when outdoors
- regularly check for any ticks and brush off any you find immediately
- continue checking for ticks when back indoors on yourself, as well as your children and/or pets.
If you find a tick on your body:
- remove the tick as soon as you can, either using a tick removing device or fine-tipped tweezers
- grab the tick as close to the skin as you can and pull upwards
- clean the area with soap and water
- keep an eye on the bite area for a few weeks in case of any changes
- if you see a spreading bullseye rash developing, or you become unwell with flu-like symptoms or a headache, contact your GP or NHS 111 immediately.