How do I safely remove a tick that's attached to my skin?

Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, then pull upwards slowly and firmly without squeezing or crushing it. Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water.

What can a Lyme disease rash look like, and when might it appear?

It is usually a spreading circular or oval rash. It can look like a bullseye, but not always, and may look like a bruise on brown or black skin. It usually appears within 1–4 weeks but can appear up to 3 months after a bite. Contact your GP or NHS 111 if it appears.

Where in the UK can I encounter ticks?

Ticks occur across the UK in woodland, grassland, moorland, parks and gardens, especially in dense low vegetation. Lyme disease cases are more common in parts of southern England and the Scottish Highlands, but tick awareness matters anywhere suitable habitat exists.

Common Hazards

Ticks and Lyme Disease

Ticks are tiny, their bites are often painless and most do not carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease—but the minority that do can transmit it, potentially causing long-term health problems if untreated. Knowing where ticks live, how to check after walking and what a possible Lyme rash may look like matters more than panic or avoidance.

26 August 20268 min read