Much attention has been centred on Lyme disease and how more and more celebrities are contracting Lyme disease from ticks. Justin Bieber revealed on an Instagram post that he contracted the illness and has been receiving treatment. The Canadian superstar told his 127 million followers that he caught the bacterial infection some time ago and his subsequent treatment will be featured in an upcoming documentary that will raise awareness about the disease and ticks on humans
He isn’t the first celebrity singer to raise awareness about Lyme; tweeting her support to Bieber, Avril Lavigne has also suffered from the infliction and has consistently spoken about its effects and how to spot it. She even set up her own foundation to offer support to sufferers of Lyme disease and other similar debilitating illnesses.
So in this blog, we’re going to be taking a close look at what Lyme disease is, how it’s caught – and how insect repellent can vastly reduce the chances of contracting it.
How Ticks on Humans Leads To Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an infection that is spread by the bites of ticks on humans – ticks being tiny spider-like insects that are found in woodland and heath areas. As they feed on the blood of birds and mammals, bites from ticks are quite common but not all spread Lyme disease, only ones that carry the bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi (accounting for around 17% of ticks found in the UK).
Most people that show early symptoms will develop a circular red skin rash around a bite, often nicknamed a ‘bullseye’ due to the formation of the rash looking like the central scoring area of a dartboard.
Whilst most rashes will appear within the first 4 weeks, it can appear up to 3 months after being bitten – and takes several more weeks to abate. Not everyone with Lyme disease will get the rash and some people will also have flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headaches, muscle and joint pain and fatigue. If treated in its early stages, the effects of Lyme disease will quickly subside, if not, they may leave sufferers with long-term flu-like symptoms, including chronic fatigue.
How To Best Avoid Bites From Ticks
Whilst ticks can be found across the UK, they are particularly prevalent in wooded and grassy areas across southern England and the Scottish Highlands. The NHS has some advice on spotting ticks, dealing with them and what to do if you believe you have an infection.
As a general rule, if you visit any areas that are liable to have ticks, you should:
- Cover your skin whilst walking outdoors (and tuck your trousers into your socks).
- Stick to paths whenever possible.
- Wear light-coloured clothing that makes it easier to spot (and remove) insects.
- Use tick repellent such as incognito® spray, roll-on &/or suncream - add link on your clothes and skin.
- Remove a tick safely, using a tick remover.
There is no vaccine to prevent bites from ticks, so using insect repellent works as a final defence. Essentially, it creates a barrier between the skin and the open air, closing down the opportunity for insects to bite. So for any holidaymakers or hikers reading, being able to protect yourself with repellent will form an important part of your trip preparation – and we are in a position to help.
A Wide Selection of DEET-Free Insect Repellent By incognito®
Here at incognito®, we aim to provide as many people as possible with 100% protection against the effects of insect bites – whether it’s ticks on humans, midges or mosquitoes. Thanks to our use of natural ingredients including our naturally sourced PMD (and not chemicals, such as DEET), we can give a wider range of people (such as those with sensitive skin, who find synthetic products to be ‘trial and error’) the best opportunity to avoid the pitfalls of suffering from diseases such as Zika, malaria, dengue and Lyme.
Our award-winning insect repellent spray, roll-on and suncream has been clinically tested to be 100% effective against ticks in the UK – so no matter where you may be going, ensure that you go incognito®.
Come and See Us At Destinations, London This January!
If you reside in or around the London area, we will be showcasing our industry-leading insect repellent products at Destinations; the holiday and travel show, at Olympia from 30th January-2nd February 2020.
As London’s top travel event, it is the perfect destination for anyone passionate about what the great outdoors has to offer. There will be a vast selection of demonstrations, talks and sessions to enjoy, presented by travel experts and specialists.
Visit https://www.destinationsshow.com/london for more information and to book tickets – and be sure to visit us at stand AA10 for all the advice you need on all things insect repellent!
If you can’t make the show and/or have some immediate questions to ask about ticks on humans, our dedicated expert team are on hand to help. Give them a call today on 020 7792 8687 or by sending an e-mail to info@lessmosquito.com.