Warm, wet weather has made this one of Britain’s busiest tick seasons in years, with activity peaking in July and August as favourable conditions coincide with more people spending time in long grass and woodland. Health officials say most tick bites are nothing to worry about but are reminding anyone heading outdoors in August to continue taking sensible precautions.
Not all ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, and even bites from infected ticks do not always result in infection. Research suggests that around 4% of ticks in England carry the bacteria, although this varies by location. As a result, most tick bites cause no lasting harm. A typical bite leaves a small, itchy red mark that fades within a day or two, similar to the reaction many people have after a midge or mosquito bite.
Knowing what a normal healing bite looks like can help people recognise when something is wrong. Redness confined to the bite area, mild swelling, and slight itching are all common reactions and rarely require more than an antihistamine or a cold compress.
The situation changes if a bite becomes infected after being scratched or exposed to bacteria. Signs of infection include redness that spreads beyond the bite, warmth and tenderness around the area, and sometimes pus or other discharge. More serious infections may also cause a fever and a general feeling of being unwell. If the redness continues to spread over the following days instead of improving, it is advisable to seek medical advice rather than wait for it to resolve on its own.
Lyme disease is the complication that attracts the most attention, and while it should be taken seriously, there is no need for undue alarm. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recorded 1,168 laboratory-confirmed acute Lyme disease cases in England in 2025, up from 959 in 2024.
One of the most recognisable signs is an expanding circular rash, often described as a bullseye rash, although not everyone develops one. Other common symptoms include fever, fatigue, and flu-like illness. When diagnosed early, Lyme disease is usually treated successfully with antibiotics. However, without treatment it can lead to complications affecting the joints, heart, and nervous system. Public health guidance recommends monitoring a tick bite for up to a month and contacting your GP promptly if a spreading rash or flu-like symptoms develop.
Removing a tick correctly is just as important as spotting one. Health experts recommend using fine-tipped tweezers or a purpose-made tick removal tool to grip the tick as close to the skin as possible before pulling it upwards slowly and steadily without twisting or crushing it. Home remedies, such as burning the tick or covering it with petroleum jelly, are not recommended because they can increase the risk of complications.
For bites that do not improve or continue to cause concern, a community pharmacy is often the first place to seek advice. Under the NHS Pharmacy First service, pharmacists in England can assess and, where appropriate, provide treatment for a range of common conditions without the need for a GP appointment.
This includes infected insect bites, as well as several other common illnesses that may arise during the summer months, such as sore throats, earache in children, impetigo, shingles, sinusitis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. Where appropriate, pharmacists can offer advice, recommend treatment, or supply prescription-only medicines under the scheme.
For many people, this means faster access to assessment and treatment without waiting for a GP appointment. However, anyone with severe symptoms, signs of a serious infection, or concerns that their condition is worsening should seek urgent medical advice.
Check yourself, your children, and your pets carefully after spending time in long grass or woodland, paying particular attention to the scalp, hairline, behind the ears, under the arms, around the waist, and behind the knees. Remove any tick promptly and correctly, then keep an eye on the bite for the next few weeks. In most cases, a small, itchy red mark that gradually fades is simply a normal reaction.
However, if a rash begins to spread, the bite becomes increasingly red, warm, or painful, or you develop a fever or flu-like symptoms, seek medical advice promptly. For many people, a local pharmacy is now the quickest place to get assessed and, where appropriate, begin treatment.