It is peak tick season, so should Charli xcx have been relaxing in long grass?

Are ticks in the UK something to worry about? How dangerous are the illnesses they can carry? Should we avoid lying in long grass like singer Charli xcx did in her music video?

These questions have appeared on social media recently after the pop star released her new video, which was filmed in Essex. Also, celebrity couples like Zoë Kravitz and Harry Styles, and Sarah Pidgeon and Joe Alwyn, were seen relaxing in the long grass in London.

Charli xcx told a fan on Instagram that she was very worried about it. While some people on social media said not to worry, it is important to be aware of ticks, according to Julia Knight from Lyme Disease UK. She explained that Lyme disease is the most common illness carried by ticks and added that it is currently the busiest time of year for them. Knight also mentioned that although ticks are usually found in forests and wild areas, they have also been found in city parks and gardens.

Ticks look a bit like insects, but they are actually related to spiders. They feed on the blood of animals and birds. When a tick bites, it cuts into the skin and inserts a feeding tube. Some types of ticks also release a glue-like substance to stay attached, making them difficult to remove. A tick bite usually only causes a small irritation. The main risk is catching a disease from the tick. If Lyme disease is not treated, it can lead to serious health problems, such as heart issues, joint pain and swelling, and nerve pain. The number of ticks and cases of Lyme disease have been increasing in the UK.

Infected ticks can be found all over the UK, but certain areas like the Scottish Highlands and parts of southern and eastern England have a higher risk. Knight suggests that the UK might not have as many reported cases of Lyme disease as countries like France or Germany because many cases, especially those with a clear rash, are not officially counted if a doctor does not need to do a blood test.

Knight believes this increase in cases is due to a warming climate. The traditional ‘tick season’ used to be from spring to autumn, but milder winters mean ticks can be active for longer periods, even all year round. Scientists are working on vaccines and medicines for Lyme disease, but for now, the best advice is to be careful in grassy or wooded areas. This means covering your skin, staying on paths, using insect repellent, and checking your skin for ticks afterwards.

Knight advises a thorough body check, as young ticks, called nymphs, can be as small as a poppy seed. Even adult ticks after feeding are not larger than a baked bean. Ticks prefer warm areas of the body and can hide in difficult places. Check between your toes, behind your knees, in your armpits, and between your legs. If you have been lying in long grass, or if a child’s head may have touched grass, check their hairline and behind their ears.

If you find a tick, the NHS recommends removing it carefully and quickly. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight up slowly. Try to remove it all at once. You should seek medical advice only if you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms afterwards, as these can be signs of Lyme disease even without a rash.

Although some people share jokes online about ticks, we do not need to stop enjoying nature. An ecologist, Dr Bethan Purse, who studies tick-borne infections, says that people can still relax in grassy areas like Hampstead Heath, but they should be mindful of the risk and check themselves afterwards.