Experts are urging the public to learn the signs, as a rare illness is becoming increasingly prevalent in England.
Lyme disease is an infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium known as Borrelia burgdorferi. The condition is primarily transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick.
On occasion, ticks can pass on multiple infections through a single bite, which can trigger more severe symptoms. Cases of Lyme disease have surged by more than 20% in England over the past year, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Laboratory-confirmed acute cases of the illness climbed from 959 in 2024 to 1168 in 2025, as annual surveillance figures revealed.
In a recent update, the UKHSA said on Instagram: “If you’re more used to scrolling your feed than being in a field, ticks might not be your first thought when heading into nature.
“But they’re common in grassy and wooded areas and can be very small, so it’s important to check yourself regularly during and after your walk.”
To help minimise the risk, people are being advised to keep to well-marked paths, wear long trousers and long-sleeved tops, opt for light-coloured clothing to make ticks easier to spot, and apply an insect repellent containing DEET.
According to the NHS, a circular or oval rash surrounding a tick bite can be an early indicator of Lyme disease in certain individuals.
The rash may appear up to three months after being bitten by an infected tick, but typically emerges within one to four weeks.
It can persist for several weeks. The rash may feature a darker or lighter central area and could progressively expand. It is typically neither warm nor itchy.
The rash may be flat or slightly raised, appearing pink, red or purple on white skin. On brown and black skin, it can be more difficult to detect and may resemble a bruise.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
