A mother has shared a photo to help show the early signs of Lyme disease after she contracted the infection while out with her dog at the park.
28-year-old Kate Allen spotted raised bumps on her skin after walking through long grass in 30C heat.
Three days later it had become an expanding circular red area on both legs, with a clear centre forming a pattern – also known as a bullseye rash.
The rash spread across her thighs and caused her to become lethargic and feverish.
Kate went to a pharmacist but they insisted she see a doctor instead, who confirmed she had been bitten by a tick.
She was then diagnosed with Lyme disease – an infectious disease caused by a bacterium named Borrelia spread by ticks.
The mum-of-three, from Leicester said: ‘I almost didn’t go doctors as it wasn’t painful but if you look up just how serious this can be I’m so so glad I did.
‘All I did was go on a family dog walk in a field – I didn’t notice straight away. That is the worrying thing. I did start to notice the bites later in the evening.
‘The symptoms began when I started to feel very tired. I had a temperature and became more forgetful than usual.’
Kate, who runs a caravan hire company, developed around 15 bullseye rashes, with some reaching 12 inches across.
She was given a 21-day course of antibiotics to treat the disease and stop it from spreading.
Kate decided to share a photo of her rash in order to raise awareness of the disease, and it has since been shared more than 187,000 times.
She said: ‘I would urge anyone to keep an eye on any bites as I shrugged it off only went to the pharmacist as I googled the rash and they insisted going doctors straight away.
‘I still feel very worried as the antibiotics aren’t a guarantee.
‘It’s great to see the power of social media in a positive light to spread awareness.
‘I would have never known about this until I went to the pharmacist. I’m still waiting for my next appointment for check up.’
The Lyme Disease Action charity is urging members of the public to be more vigilant in hot weather conditions as it brings the ticks above ground looking for food.
Side effects include impaired attention, judgement control, disorganisation and poor problem-solving similar symptoms to dementia and Alzheimer’s.
How to prevent Lyme disease
According to the NHS, the best way to prevent the disease is to cover skin while walking outdoors and use insect repellent on clothes and skin.
You should also do your best to tick-proof your garden and check your clothing, children and pets for ticks.
If you are worried you have contracted Lyme disease, it is important to see your GP as soon as possible so that they can diagnose you and provide you antibiotics.
A spokesperson from Lyme Disease Action said: ‘Humid weather brings the ticks above ground looking for a meal and walkers and campers need to be aware of the risk of tick bites in shaded areas and long grass.
‘The majority of UK ticks are not infected with Lyme disease, and the risk of disease can be minimised by prompt removal of the tick, without squashing the body.
‘Awareness is key, and ticks should not deter people from enjoying the outside, with all the benefits it brings.’
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