‘Call 111’ if you spot this shape on your skin as over 1,000 cases of disease reported

Britons are being asked to “call 111” if they see a particular pattern on their skin. This unusual pattern may indicate Lyme disease, which is often caused by tick bites.

Ticks are small, spider-like creatures that live in tall shrubs and cling to animals, including humans, as they walk through tall grass. They are becoming increasingly common in some parts of the UK, particularly as deer populations are increasing.

They can transmit disease-causing viruses and infections while feeding; Lyme disease is the most common. Although Lyme disease can be treated quickly with antibiotics, it can have serious health consequences if not caught early enough.

Therefore, you should seek help as soon as you notice any symptoms of the disease.

According to the NHS, a circular or oval-shaped rash around a tick bite is an early sign of Lyme disease in some people.

This rash usually appears within one to four weeks but can appear up to three months after the bite. It may take several weeks.

“The rash may be flat or slightly raised and may appear pink, red or purple when appearing on white skin,” the NHS explains.

“On brown and black skin, the rash may be harder to see and may look like a bruise.” The NHS says the rash can look like a bullseye on a dartboard.

Other common symptoms of Lyme disease include:

• high temperature
• feeling hot and shaky
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pains
• Fatigue and loss of energy

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The NHS says if you have been bitten by a tick or have visited an area where ticks may be infected in the last three months, you should seek an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 and do one of the following:

• Feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms such as feeling hot or cold, chills, headache, or muscle pain
• If you have a round or oval-shaped rash

Lyme disease cases

Figures announced in the new report UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) show that Lyme disease remains the most common locally acquired vector-borne infection in England, with 1,168 laboratory-confirmed acute cases reported in 2025. This figure is higher than the numbers reported in 2024 (959 cases) and is very similar to the case numbers in 2023 (1,151 cases).

In recent years, the agency has seen Lyme disease rates vary widely, but trends in 2025 are consistent with what we’ve seen before. UKHSA said: “Although we are seeing an increasing distribution of ticks across the UK, tick numbers vary from year to year due to changes in weather conditions, climate trends, habitat changes and changing host populations.

“Tick bites can occur year-round but continue to follow a seasonal distribution, increasing in late spring and peaking in June, and reports of acute Lyme disease follow a similar trend, with cases peaking in late summer.

“These figures highlight the importance of the public taking simple precautions, such as avoiding tick bites and being aware of signs and symptoms after spending time outdoors. If you have been bitten by a tick, remove the tick as soon as possible using a tick removal device, following its instructions, or using fine-tipped tweezers.”

The report also confirms two unrelated possible cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) complex detected in 2025.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is most commonly spread to humans through infected ticks. But not all ticks are infected; It is estimated that around 10% of ticks in the UK carry Lyme disease.

Serious side effects

Some people with Lyme disease may experience serious side effects; This is more likely if treatment is delayed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says these may include:

• Severe headache and neck stiffness
• Facial paralysis (loss of muscle tone or drooping on one or both sides of the face)
• Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, especially in the knees and other large joints.
• Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints and bones
• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat (Lyme carditis)
• Periods of dizziness or shortness of breath
• Brain and spinal cord inflammation
• neuralgia
• Pain, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet

Protecting yourself from ticks

To reduce the chance of being bitten by a tick, the NHS says you should:

• Cover your skin and tuck your pants into your socks when walking outdoors.
• Use insect repellent on your clothes and skin; Products containing DEET are best
• Stay on open roads whenever possible
• Wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to see and brush away

The NHS advice for removing a tick safely is:

• Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool. You can buy them at some pharmacies, veterinarians and pet stores.
• Hold the tick as close to the skin as possible
• Gently pull upwards, being careful not to squeeze or crush the tick. Throw away when you remove
• Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water

For more information visit the NHS website Here.