Lyme Disease on the Up-Tick

As Mother’s Day approaches and the long-anticipated season for backyard cookouts and evenings on the deck arrives, it is also most likely time to whip the garden back into shape.  But before venturing out, it’s important not only to slather on the sunscreen but to also protect against tick born diseases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ticks and tick-born diseases are spreading into new areas of the United States and the range of ticks has grown rapidly over the past 20 years.  Lyme disease, transmitted most commonly by deer ticks, is also on the rise.

Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed as another illness and a result, the number of reported cases could be much less than the true rate of infection.  A common symptom of Lyme disease is a “bull’s-eye rash” spreading from the site of a tick bite and widening in a circle.  The rash may last for more than a month but if left untreated, can lead to other symptoms including fatigue, aches, pains and fever.   In late stages of the disease, patients may develop tingling in the arms and legs, bell’s palsy (facial drooping), arthritis or neurological problems such as memory loss and confusion. If diagnosed quickly, antibiotics are usually effective to treat Lyme disease but in some cases symptoms may persist.

If you are bitten by a tick and have any of the symptoms listed, contact your health care professional.  Early symptoms of rash, fever, fatigue, muscle and joint pain or swollen lymph nodes usually occur within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite.

Prevention

• Avoid heavily wooded or areas with tall grasses where ticks thrive
• Cover skin with long sleeved shirts and pants
• Use insect repellent with a 20 per cent concentration of DEET or higher
• Keep yard free of debris or brush were ticks live
• Check pets and skin for ticks after spending time outdoors
• Shower after returning inside from the outdoors, use a washcloth to remove any unattached ticks
• Remove ticks immediately once found by pulling carefully and steadily, grasping near the head or mouth.  Do not squeeze or crush the tick and apply antiseptic to the bite area.

Source: Mayo Clinic

To learn more about Lyme Disease and tick removal and testing, visit the CDC website by following this link.