At first we thought the pink smudge on the side of his face might have been a
scrape. Sam was 7 and, like any boy his age, he’d had plenty of those. “Does
that hurt?” we asked. “No,” he replied, looking baffled.
But over the next couple of days red circles began to surface all over his
body. They weren’t itchy or sore. But as he skipped around our home in
Glasgow as normal, reciting the content of Horrid Henry’s Jolly Joke
Book (Orion, £4.99), we took stock anxiously: three on his arms, more on
his legs, some on his torso, another on his bottom.
We wondered if it was ringworm, a fungus that produces a blotchy patch on the
skin. Our GP wasn’t sure, but prescribed antifungal creams just in case and
told us not to worry. We tried for a couple of days, but then more blotches
appeared and the terrible realisation began to dawn that this might be
something to do with the ticks that we’d encountered on the holiday we’d
just had on a Swedish island.
We’d gone swimming in the Baltic, explored the countryside and loitered on the
beaches. And, as we’d been warned in the guidebooks, there had been ticks:
wee brown-black devils that sink their heads into your skin to gorge on your
blood.
In Sweden it’s estimated that one tick in ten carries the bacteria Borrelia
burgdorferi, which can cause the multi-system disorder Lyme disease.
First identified in 1975, the illness is named after Lyme, a town in
Connecticut where dozens of children were thought to be suffering from a
crippling form of arthritis until the true cause was discovered.
Lyme is progressive and nasty, and can develop into a range of symptoms, from
arthritic aches and pains to cardiac and even psychiatric problems. Often it
is mistaken for other conditions and goes untreated, worsening all the time.
The European strain is said to be less dangerous than the American one but,
still, it’s a veritable Pandora’s box.
Having learnt all this, there was family pandemonium when we spotted a tick in
our little girl’s belly button on Day 2 of our holiday. We checked and found
that Sam also had one between his toes (he’d been wearing open sandals, a
big nono in tick areas). I was worried, but my wife was frantic. We’d
planned a holiday to remember, not a lifetime of illness for our children.
Our first problem was removing the little blighters; the tweezers in our
first-aid kit — and the promise of a slab of chocolate to keep the children
still — did the trick.
The next day we drove the hour or so to the nearest hospital for guidance.
There we found perhaps the world’s only non-English-speaking Swede who
nevertheless managed to explain that we had nothing to worry about. In
fragments of German (we spoke little or no Swedish) he told us to look out
for a red mark around the bitten area as a telltale sign that the bacteria
had got in.
That was the advice that had misled us at home in Glasgow. The reddening
wasn’t where the bites were. That pink smudge on Sam’s face was the telltale
first ring and we’d missed it. Another reason why we had initially doubted
that it was Lyme was that the tick had been removed quickly and the
literature speaks of it needing 24 hours to pass on the bacteria. But the
incubation time marked in the books, two weeks, was just about right for the
appearance of the smudge.
We visited our GP three times, increasingly convinced that Sam had Lyme
disease. We even took in printouts of the telltale “bull’s eye” rashes we
felt matched Sam’s. In the end we were told to take him to hospital “if we
wanted to”.
We were angry because we believed that our child had a terrible illness, yet
the doctors at our local surgery seemed casual and not to know much about
it. As it happened, at Yorkhill, Glasgow’s children’s hospital, it took a
specialist about three seconds to diagnose Lyme disease. He even asked if he
could photograph the rashes, and Sam now proudly boasts that his bottom is
featured in a medical textbook.
Our little boy was lucky: his recovery was complete. He was prescribed a
two-week course of antibiotics so strong the pharmacist queried that the
dose was for a child and not, say, a horse. But that is how Lyme’s is
treated: the bacteria needs to be blitzed from your system early on.
However, the ignorance of Lyme’s we experienced among health professionals was
alarming as it is an illness very much on the increase in the UK. In
Scotland in 1996 there were just three reported cases, but 27 in 2000, and
63 in 2005. Most cases still go unreported and, according to the NHS, it is
believed that as many as 2,000 people contract the disease in Britain each
year.
The risk of contracting the disease increases in warm weather, when ticks and
the bacteria thrive and walkers are less likely to wear layers of protective
clothes. And with warmer, wetter weather expected as a result of global
warming, tick populations can only increase.
Since Sam’s illness, I’ve met several people who have also been treated for
the condition, either after camping trips in the Highlands or visits to
Scandinavia. In each case, those infected had either not heard or not
understood anything of the dangers beforehand. Considering Borrelia
burgdorferi’s potential, I feel that no one should venture into the
countryside without being aware of what a tiny tick can do.
Lyme disease: the facts Where is the tick found? Borrelia burgdorferi
is most associated with areas where there are wild deer. The tick that
carries the bacteria prefers woods, heath and moorland and is found in the
New Forest, Exmoor, Wiltshire, west Berkshire, South Downs, Thetford Forest,
the Lake District, North Yorkshire, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
What precautions can you take? Wear closed shoes, long sleeves and
trousers.
How can you remove ticks? Grasp the tick’s mouthparts — but not the
main body — with tweezers. Apply gentle pressure and pull upwards, firmly
and steadily. Clean the area around the bite with antiseptic disinfectant.
Do not use fingers, crush the tick’s body or try to burn off.
For more information . . . Visit the European Union Concerted Action On
Lyme Borreliosis at www. meduni09.edis.at/eucalb/ index.htm
MEN’S HEALTH MYTHS
2. You don’t use health services as much as women
Who says? Everyone; this myth is repeated so often you’d assume it’s
gospel. Your other half will delight in using it as a stick with which to
beat you all the way to your GP’s door.
How wrong is it? It’s a distortion of the truth.
Give me the facts Women do use health services more than men, but
that’s because they have more reason to. As a bloke, you’d get funny looks
if you booked for a smear, antenatal check, Pill prescription and so on.
True, you’re the proud owner of a prostate and pant-tackle that the girls
don’t have. But these are easily trumped by lady’s problems involving
breasts and gynaecology. Now do the maths: subtract from female health
service use the strictly girlie stuff, then do the same for men. You’ll find
that at least 60 per cent of the apparent male v female difference in doctor
door-stepping vanishes.
What should you do? Don’t feel as though you’re neglecting the health
service but use it when you really need to. And if she says you should have
a health MoT, refer her to the forthcoming myth: “Blokes would be healthier
if they visited the doctor more often”.
Last word “It’s not so that men use health services less; it’s just
that women use them more.” KEITH HOPCROFT, GP
Ben from Edinborough obviously does not know much about removing ticks!
All of the health organisations advise removal of ticks with tweezers. However I would like to make a comment on this.
In the hands of a unexperienced user, tweezers can actually grip the wrong part of the tick and cause damage or regurgitation and in many cases (apart from very small larval ticks) a tool can be better for the general public.
I would advise against using the Otom device as I have found it difficult to attach properly and it can also cut into the tick when sliding it on. Tick tools such as the Trix tick remover and the Tick Nipper are much easier to use, and adjust their grip to suit the tick. In the case of the Professional Trix device, complete removal is almost 100% guaranteed, and is often used in research for the live removal of ticks.
Please bear in mind that I am not an authority on tick removers, but have tried a few over the years. The choice is yours!
David Peters, Oxford,
Please look at this website - http://www.otom.com. This device should be carried by everyone where ticks may be. It really works and removes ticks completely. You shouldn't publish advice about using tweezers or chemicals, these cause the tick to regurgitate into the wound causing infection.
Ben, Edinburgh,
Regarding how to remove ticks with tweezers. Whilst living in Germany, my children were bitten by ticks and everyone is informed how to remove a tick with tweezers:
" GRASP TICK WITH TWEEZERS AND ALWAYS TURN TWEEZERS ANTI-CLOCKWISE TO ENSURE THAT THE TICK IS REMOVED COMPLETELY . NEVER PULL OUT AS THIS COULD BREAK OFF THE BODY PARTS OF THE TICK LEAVING THE HEAD BENEATH THE SKIN."
Victoria Foster, Maidstone, United Kingdom
I became ill twelve years ago. A strange circular rash on my arm, a week later fever, chills, pains to name but a few!
Every doctor over the last twelve years dismissed all my symptoms as either panic or anxiety disorder. I was even sent to a mental health unit!!!!
As my symptoms only worsened and I was deteriorating badly, desperate for answers and a cure I found a specialist who diagnosed Lyme disease. My blood, organs and body tissue riddled with a spirochete infection called borreliosis-LYME DISEASE!!!! It is a problem that we are faced with-doctors know nothing or little regarding this terrible disease!!! I'm shocked, We need more awareness.
Michelle Rowland, Somerset, England
Never use any chemicals or heat to remove a tick - it is thought to increase the risk of passing an infection. Use fine tweezers to hold the head, not the body, as close to the skin as possible and pull steadily (see the BADA website).
Lyme disease is found across the UK, not just in the hotspots listed. It is probably much more common than is officially thought. Most doctors know little about it, any many seem to have an irrational prejudice against it, and put too much faith in unreliable NHS blood tests. Much of the information provided by the HPA is ultra conservative and is contradicted by good scientific evidence. The charity Lyme Disease Action is campaigning for change. See www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk for more information.
Denzil Searle, Camborne, Cornwall
Thank you Thomas Quinn for alerting people to the dangers of Lyme disease. The disease is present in all parts of the UK. We at the charity Lyme Disease Action share the shock of the Quinn family regarding the medical ignorance that surrounds this disease and the consequent misdiagnosis of patients that is occurring. We know of many people told by doctors they did not have Lyme even when they (a) had a bull’s eye rash – not all get this (b) remembered being bitten (c) had most or all of the symptoms and even (d) responded to antibiotic treatment which in many cases they had to beg for! We have lobbied the health minister, Patricia Hewitt, about all these serious issues and suggested ‘Ten Steps to better control of Lyme disease’ that the Department of Health could take to start to put things right. The DH response, from Caroline Flint MP, the public health minister, gives the current DH position on Lyme disease. It can be seen on our website at http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/lobby/gov_response.htm
For those who don’t have time to look at this full response, we can say that the answers given did little to reassure us that the DH has the issue in hand, rather the contrary, they serve only to heighten our concern. Sam Quinn has been very lucky to be given high-dose treatment early in the illness. Anyone who is not so lucky can find themselves left with this nasty and often progressive disease. It seems unaccountable therefore that the DH have described it to us in the terms ‘most effects of infection are mild’. The public needs to be made much more aware of the issues surrounding this devastating disease.
Stephanie Woodcock, Lyme Disease Action.
Stephanie Woodcock, Penryn, UK
I live in East Kilbride and have the dreaded rash called Erythema Migrans and have been very ill for four years with Lyme Disease but only found out about it a few months ago. I have had lots of info and help on a site called eurolyme but no help from my GPs. The GP who is the head of the practice sighed sat back closing his eyes with his head in his hands obviously fed up hearing about my symptoms and didn't even look at my list of symptoms I had printed out for him. We need informed GP's in this country. Please help inform them if you are in a position to do so.
Elaine, East Kilbride, Scotland
This truey is an awful disease and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I have suffered from this terrible disease for over 3 years and it has devastated my life. There needs to be more awareness and better testing for this disease.
Chris, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK
Lyme disease can be found across the UK, not just in the hotspots mentioned. Numbers of cases are probably much greater than 2000 a year as most doctors know very little about it and many seem to have an irrational prejudice against diagnosing it, and rely too much on unreliable blood tests. European strains of the bacterium are not less dangerous, they just tend to produce a different range of symptoms.
Denzil Searle, Camborne, Cornwall
our lives have been drastically effected by Lyme after my husband was bitten in the lakes in 2002. this year, for the first time since, he has taken the children out for walks, cycled with them and felt well enough to plan a few weeks ahead. i feel like ive been a single parent for 4 yrs and they feel like they lost their dad. finally after seeking out and paying for a private course of treatment ( high dose anti biotics for 6 months) hes on the mend. but what a huge cost its been for our family. one of 1000s effected. i think its a bit like dyslexia...if they admit it exists and is very common the cost will be huge, so ostrich like behaviour seems best. IT ISNT ,PLEASE GOVERNMENT, DEAL WITH IT!
tracie, london, uk
At the start of April it was National Tick Prevention Week http://www.tickpreventionweek.org, which was organised by the registered charity BADA-UK (Borreliosis & Associated Diseases Awareness-UK). The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health endorsed this event, stating that public awareness is of vital importance. For excellent tips on avoiding tick attachment and creating a buffer zone around domestic properties within heavily tick infested areas.
My life has been irreversibly altered by Lyme disease. I wouldn't want anyone else to suffer as I have.
Den, York,
Thanks Thomas for the insight. My own Swedish husband knows nothing about this (he has been away from home for 27 years). Bringing our 3 year old horseriding and swimming this year so you have really helped prepare me!
Fiona Agnew, Buenos Aires,
Dear Readers
This illness, Lyme disease is far more prevelant than even doctors know. I have had borrelia/Lyme disease for 20yrs and treated with disbelife, rudness and at times arragance as doctors would not accept I was ill, 'it was all in my mind', they said. I finally was diagnosed as suffering from ME but that was poo-hood by doctors. Five years ago I was dianosed as having borrelia/Lyme disease, stll doctors would not accept it. I have recently recieved a letter from DoH in London stating that, 'they' have known about Lyme disease for 20yrs, and after getting Lyme disease patients can develope ME/Fibromyalgia/Rheumatic disorders, and that some susceptable patients can go onto develope Athritis! If they have known this for 20yrs why on earth have we been ignored, no tests, no suggestion it could be borrelia/Lyme disease? Not just ticks can spread it. The bacteria has been found in mothers milk, seman and bodily fluids and 60,000 estimated severe ME suffers are dieing.
Jacqui, huddersfield, England
Thankyou so much for these clear guidelines for a quick home diagnosis in early stages; especially as the walking and camping season are imminent.
Our dog had two ticks while in the Forest of Dean, which we ourselves were spared . Our pets need to be monitored too.
The locals use Magnesium Sulphate paste (from pharmacist over the counter) to smother the tick and cause it to retract its mouth parts. I am not a medic so check this out.
Pulling the head away can leave bits of it behind.
Nicola, Hull, East Yorkshire UK
Thank you to Thomas Quinn for raising awareness about Lyme Disease. My daughter contracted Borrelia Burgdorferi in a local park where there is a herd of deer way back in 1991. It was only last year that she was finally diagnosed with this illness after endless years of being told that she was ill with ME. After an enormous amount of treatment she is now better and able to carry on with her life. It is desperately important that this illness is recognised by doctors as early treatment is important.
Jane Colley, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire
Thank you for running this ad. People should know that a tick can be tested for diseases. The lab most often used in the US is Igenex.
Kara Tyson, Mobile, AL/ USA