Tick warning Fears of disease after finding bite mark
robin.jenkins@reachplc.com
AWOMAN is warning others about walking in parks and other grassy areas this summer after she was bitten by a tick and developed a rash.
Jo-anne Hale fears she may get Lyme disease and her doctor has given her a course of antibiotics after being bitten in Pittville Park, Cheltenham.
The 57-year-old, who lives in the Fairview area of the town, was bitten twice while walking in the park about two weeks ago. It happened on the edge of the boating lake, level with the island and close to the golf course.
While one of the bites did not cause her a problem, the other one did. It was on her shin and a rash developed about a week after she was bitten.
Jo-anne’s GP asked her to send a picture of the rash via email and, after seeing it, decided to prescribe her antibiotics.
She said: “It’s more a precautionary measure than anything. The doctor prescribed me a three-week course in case of any long-term implications.”
She said she was aware that tick bites could lead to Lyme disease, which can cause flu-like symptoms in the early stages but also in the longer term can lead to pain and swelling in joints, as well as nerve, heart and memory problems.
Jo-anne, who suffers from fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread pain and extreme tiredness, said she was normally careful to stay covered up when walking in the park.
But she said it was her bad luck that she was wearing leggings and sandals on the day she was bitten.
She said: “I went down to the lake to take a picture of the swans. I was bitten twice. I was aware I had brushed something off. It could have been the tick.
“If you go to the park, don’t forget to check for tick bites afterwards, just in case.
“I don’t want people to worry overly. It is treatable. Just be aware. There’s no need to panic but be alert to the possibility.”
She added: “The repercussions can be life changing if you don’t have it dealt with or diagnosed at the time.”
Alice Reeve, who lives on the edge of Pittville Park, had two tick bites - in 1999 and 2004.
She was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2018 and told the Echo in that year that it had had a major impact on her life.
She said she had gone from being full of energy to being mostly housebound.
After hearing about Jo-anne’s situation, she said: “We really need awareness. I am too sick to go out so hope the parks are putting warnings out. Further information about the disease can be found here. A spokeswoman for Cheltenham Borough Council, which manages parks in the town, said: “Ticks are common, particularly in woodlands and green spaces. “People and pets can be exposed to ticks when they are outside, even if they are simply enjoying the garden. “We encourage people to enjoy our open spaces and at the same time, be ‘tick aware.’ To prevent tick bites, walk on clearly defined paths, use insect repellent and perform regular tick checks. “Some tick bites can result in infection, so it is important to remove ticks safely and as quickly as possible using clean tweezers or a tick removal tool and seek medical assistance if you feel unwell or experience a circular red rash. “Likewise, if pets have been bitten, seek help from a vet.”
She added that ticks can carry Lyme disease, although the chances of contracting it are low.