Irish Mountain
Running Association

Ticks & Lyme Disease

AuthorDateMessage
Robert McEvoySep 2 2018, 8:58pmSome people were asking me today about tick bites and Lyme Disease.

One of the difficulties people sometimes have is finding reliable information on the Internet regarding ticks, tick removal, and Lyme testing.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has excellent, trust-worthy information on their website: http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vectorborne/lymedisease/informationforthepublic/

Here is a poster which we display at many of the Munster races:
http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vectorborne/lymedisease/informationforthepublic/Lyme%20DL%20April2017%20-%20D2.pdf

Briefly - as hill-runners we are at increased risk of Lyme compared to the general public. Check your entire body for ticks if you have been running in woodland or moorland. Everyone should own a dedicated tick tweezers which can completely remove a tick by its head. Be aware of the specific rash - unfortunately the rash only appears in about 50% of those infected. Visit your GP if you develop the rash or if you are worried - but bear in mind that there were only 21 reported cases of Lyme disease in Ireland in 2016, so this diagnosis may not be at the top of your GP's list unless you let them know you are a hill-runner.
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