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<\/p>\n14:37, 06 May 2026Updated 15:20, 06 May 2026<\/p>\n
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People are being advised to take care when walking in long grass(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n
People are being urged to ‘watch for two key symptoms – and told to see a GP if they develop them. Public Health Scotland has issued a May alert and warned everyone to “be aware” when out walking.<\/p>\n
Lime disease can be a debilitating infection that is best treated when found early. It is caused by being bitten by ticks which are found across the UK, in parts of Europe and North America. However, according to the NHS there are “a high number of ticks in the Scottish Highlands”.<\/p>\n
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Public Health Scotland says it is sharing “simple advice” on how to avoid Lyme disease as the risk is increased until the end of October. Sharing two signs to watch out for it said: “It\u2019s #LymeDiseaseAwarenessMonth<\/a> and we\u2019re sharing simple advice on ticks, symptoms and what to do if bitten. If you spot a spreading rash or feel flu\u2011like, contact your GP.”<\/p>\n Ticks are tiny, spider-like creatures that live in undergrowth and latch on to animals including humans when they walk through long grass(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n According to NHS Inform Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. It is also known as Lyme borreliosis. It gives further details on its website saying: “Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures found in woodland and moorland areas, grassy places, parks and gardens. They feed on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans. Lyme disease is usually easier to treat the earlier it\u2019s diagnosed.”<\/p>\n There are some common symptoms including a “bull’s-eye” rash, however one in three people with the disease will not develop any rash. The rash:<\/p>\n usually develops around 3 to 30 days after you have been bittenmay look like a bull\u2019s-eye on a dart boardwill be redmay feel slightly raised at the edgesmay get bigger over several days or weeksis usually around 15 cm (6 inches) across, but it can be smaller or much larger<\/p>\n It adds: “Some people may develop several rashes in different parts of their body. Around 1 in 3 people with Lyme disease will not develop a rash.”<\/p>\n A ‘bulls-eye’ rash around a tick bite is an early symptom of Lyme disease in some people(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n Some people can develop flu-like symptoms<\/a> in the early stages of Lyme disease. This can include:<\/p>\n tiredness (fatigue)muscle painjoint painheadaches<\/a>a high temperature (fever)chillsneck stiffness<\/p>\n It advises people to contact their GP if they have been bitten by a tick and develop a rash or flu like symptoms. You should tell your doctor you have been bitten.<\/p>\n Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/p>\n![\"Tick\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_GettyImages-1396392842.jpg\")
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