How you get Lyme disease

If a tick bites an animal carrying the bacteriathat cause Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), the tickcan also become infected. The tick can then transfer the bacteria to a human by biting them.

Ticks can be found in any areas with deep or overgrown vegetation where they have access to animals to feed on.

They're common in woodland and heath areas, but can also be found in gardens or parks.

Ticksdon't jump or fly, but climb on to your clothes or skin if you brush against something they're on. They then bite into the skin and start to feed on your blood.

Generally, you're more likely to become infectedif the tick remains attached to your skin for more than24 hours. But ticks are very small and their bites are not painful, so you may not realise you have one attached to your skin.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dez 2018