UK households are being warned over the risk of a serious illness this April, May or June which can be caused just by walking through long grass. Lyme Disease is a dangerous illness spread by tiny ticks which hide in grass and can bite you, your children or your pets.

Spending more time among nature and walking through countryside, woods or even your own garden can mean a heightened risk of tick bites, which can, in some cases, result in Lyme disease, warns charity Lyme Disease UK. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and the charity is urging the public to look out for the dangerous arachnids which may carry the disease. If left untreated, Lyme Disease can be very serious and lead to neurological or cardiac issues.

Lyme Disease UK says: “Lyme disease is a bacterial infection, usually caused by the bite of an infected tick. 

“Ticks can be found in every county across the UK and can be as small as poppy seeds, so can easily be missed. If you spend a lot of time outdoors or you own a pet, you may be at higher risk of being bitten.

“Raising awareness of Lyme disease is of the utmost importance, as a late diagnosis or misdiagnosis can lead to serious long-term health problems, including neurological and cardiac issues.”

The charity urged people to look for these key symptoms if you’ve spent time outside, or worse, found a tick on your skin:

• Lyme disease can be transmitted by the bite of an infected tick.

• Ticks can be as small as a poppy seed. Bites are normally painless, so can easily be missed.

• Not everyone with Lyme disease develops a rash. It is important to look out for symptoms as well.

• The rash can appear up to three months after being bitten by an infected tick, but usually appears within one to four weeks. It can last for several weeks.

• Early symptoms can include fatigue, headaches, flu-like illness, facial palsy, migratory muscle and joint pain, nausea, and a stiff neck.

Lyme Disease UK has stressed that ticks can be found in home gardens, not just in woods and countryside. 

It urged people to take precautions when spending time outdoors which include:

• Carry a tick removal tool with you at all times.

• Use insect repellent during outdoor activities.

• Avoid walking through long grass and stick to pathways. 

• Tuck trousers into socks if walking in grassy, wooded and overgrown areas.

• Wear light-coloured clothing so you can spot and brush off any ticks.

• Check for ticks when you get home. Check children and pets too.

This is backed by the UK Health and Security Agency. It said: "Tick activity increases in spring and peaks between April and June, and this is when tick bite risk is highest.

"Carry out a tick check after outdoor activities – look and feel for attached ticks on you, your family and pets." 

And the NHS's website adds: "Ticks that may cause Lyme disease are found all over the UK, but high-risk places include grassy and wooded areas in southern and northern England and the Scottish Highlands.

"Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures that live in woods, areas with long grass, and sometimes in urban parks and gardens. They're found all over the UK."