Let’s talk ticks – Lyme disease awareness - Our blog

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and Dr Selene Huntley, Advanced Healthcare Scientist at Public Health Scotland, explains the best ways to prevent tick bites, top tips to remove them correctly, and the symptoms of Lyme disease to look out for.

With spring underway and the days getting brighter, many of us are eager to get outdoors – whether that’s the countryside, the local park or enjoying time in the garden. Being outside is great for both our mental and physical wellbeing.

If outdoor time sees you heading into grassy or woodland areas, it’s important to be aware of ticks.

What are ticks and where are they found?

Ticks live in green spaces such as woodland, long grass, and even some gardens. These small, spider‑like creatures are most active from spring to autumn.

Ticks can pass on germs when they bite and attach to your skin, and these bacteria can make you feel unwell. In Scotland, the most common tick‑borne illness is Lyme disease. While the condition is treatable, early diagnosis is key to preventing it becoming more serious.

How to reduce your risk of tick bites

You might not feel it when you get a tick bite, so it’s easy not to notice one attached to your skin.

To lower the chances of a tick attaching to your skin:

Wear long sleeves and long trousers tucked into socks
Stick to main paths
Avoid long grass
Use an insect repellent

Most importantly, check your skin thoroughly after being outdoors, especially if you have spent time in grassy or wooded areas. The faster you spot and remove a tick, the lower the risk of becoming unwell.

Removing a tick safely

If you find a tick attached to your skin, try not to worry - removing it correctly and quickly is the best way to prevent any bacteria being passed on.

The best way to remove a tick is by using a tick removal tool.

Slide the tool under the attached tick, as close to the skin as possible, and lift it straight out without twisting or squeezing the body. Crush and dispose of the tick safely afterwards so it can’t reattach to you.

Illustrated comparison of two tick-removal methods. Top row, labeled ‘Tick twister,’ shows a green hooked tool placed around an attached tick and rotated upward to remove it intact. Bottom row, labeled ‘Tick card,’ shows a flat card tool slid under a tick’s body and lifted away from the skin. Arrows indicate the movement of each tool during removal.

Fine-tipped tweezers can be used if you don’t have a tick card or twister.

Illustration labeled ‘Fine-tipped tweezers’ showing two steps of tick removal. The left image shows fine-tipped tweezers positioned close to the skin, grasping the tick at the head. The right image shows the tweezers pulling straight upward to remove the tick. Arrows indicate the direction of movement.

Symptoms of Lyme disease

Early symptoms of Lyme disease could be:

A red, circular rash (often expanding over several days); this is not present in all cases
Flu like symptoms such as tiredness, headache, muscle or joint pain

Symptoms are usually mild and respond well to a simple course of antibiotics if treated early. Ignoring early symptoms increases the chance of longer term complications – it’s important to speak to your GP if you feel unwell.

By checking your skin, removing ticks promptly and knowing the early symptoms of Lyme disease, you can enjoy Scotland’s beautiful outdoors with confidence.

Further information

More information on keeping well outdoors can be found in our spring blog.

More information about ticks, including prevention and removal and Lyme Disease is available on NHS Inform.

More information about avoiding bugs and germs outdoors is available on NHS Inform.