May is Lyme disease Awareness Month! According to the CDC, more than 30,000 Lyme disease cases are reported each year in the US, but it is estimated that up to 300,000 cases occur annually. Ticks are very prevalent in our area and we have information to help you prevent tick bites and Lyme disease. We want you to be able to enjoy the outdoors safely!
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is transmitted from an infected tick to humans. The ONLY tick that causes Lyme disease is the black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick. Deer ticks are found mostly in Wisconsin, Minnesota and on the east coast from northeast Virginia to Maine. This map from the CDC shows the prevalence of Lyme disease infections during the year 2018. (1 blue dot = 1 confirmed case).
Lyme disease can only be transmitted to a human if the tick is infected AND has been attached for at least 36 – 48 hours. If the tick has been attached for less time, then there is a very slim chance of contracting Lyme disease. Not all deer ticks carry the bacteria, so if you are bitten it does not automatically mean you will get Lyme disease. Deer ticks range from the size of a poppy seed to about the size of a sesame seed. They can attach to any part of the body, but are normally found in hard-to-see areas such as the belly button, groin, armpit, and scalp. The greatest risk for Lyme disease is between the months of April through September, but ticks are present all year long and can even survive in temperatures that are just above freezing.
Symptoms
The incubation period for Lyme disease can range from 3 days up to a month, which means symptoms may not be seen immediately after being bitten. The early stage of Lyme disease known as early localized or acute Lyme disease commonly presents as the following:
Skin rash – may or may not look like a bullseye! It usually appears within 7 days, but can be seen earlier or later. This rash is rarely itchy or painful, but may be warm to the touch.
Fatigue
Headache and stiff neck
Muscle soreness and joint pain
Swollen lymph nodes
Sore throat
Lyme disease can also progress to other parts of the body if left untreated for longer periods of time. This middle stage of Lyme disease usually occurs within several weeks or months from being bitten. These symptoms can be more serious and include weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, vision changes and even heart problems. If proper treatment has failed or identification and diagnosis of Lyme disease has gone unnoticed for more than several months or even years it can become a chronic condition. This last stage of Lyme disease is where patients develop lifelong complications such as arthritis, headaches or migraines, chronic pain or numbness in extremities, insomnia, and more.
If you have recently been bitten by a tick and are unsure if you have Lyme disease visit this website to check your symptoms.
Prevention Strategies
There are things that you can do to prevent tick bites and infection, just remember to be AWARE!
A: AVOID areas where ticks live.
Wood piles, tall grass, leaf piles, wooded areas
If hiking and camping, avoid sitting on logs or leaning against trees, stay in the middle of trails
Make your outside environment less susceptible to ticks by mowing grass, pruning trees, clearing brush and leaf piles, chemical treatments for the yard and house
W: WEAR light-colored and protective clothing.
White, light tan, light gray
Long sleeve shirt fitted at the wrist, long pants tucked into socks, closed toed shoes
A: APPLY EPA-approved, CDC recommended tick repellent to skin and insecticide to clothing.
Skin and hair: Picaridin, DEET, lemon eucalyptus oil
Clothing and shoes: products containing at least 0.5% permethrin
R: REMOVE clothing upon entering the home.
Toss clothing into the dryer for 10-15 minutes to kill ticks
E: EXAMINE yourself and pets for ticks daily.
Shower immediately! This will remove any unattached ticks
Inspect all areas, especially the groin, armpit, back of knees, scalp and belly button
What should I do if I find a tick attached to me?
Remove the tick ASAP! Follow these 5 easy steps:
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as you can.
Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do NOT twist or jerk the tick.
After removing the tick, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet. If you would like to bring it to your healthcare provider for identification, put it in rubbing alcohol or place it in a sealed bag/container.
Watch for symptoms for 30 days and call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following: rash (bullseye or other), fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain or swelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it "Lyme" or "Lyme's"?
The correct wording is Lyme disease.
Can I get sick from a tick that is crawling on me but has not yet attached?
Ticks must bite you to spread germs. A tick that is crawling on you, but not attached could not have spread germs to you.
Are there other infections I can contract from ticks?
Yes. There are many different species of ticks that all have the potential to pass diseases to humans. Even the deer tick can transmit diseases other than Lyme disease, so it is important to practice protective techniques and remember to be AWARE!
Can I use nail polish or petroleum jelly to remove a tick that is attached to me?
DO NOT use any other method to remove ticks. Nail polish, petroleum jelly and heat are not effective ways to remove ticks completely. ONLY use fine-tipped tweezers and follow steps 1-5 for proper removal technique.
Are ticks only present during the warmer months?
No! Ticks are more prevalent during the months of April through September, but they can also be around during colder months. Ticks can survive in temperatures just above freezing, so make sure to be AWARE whenever you are hiking or near tick hot spots.
If I am diagnosed with Lyme disease will I have that for the rest of my life?
No. Patients that are diagnosed in the early stages will be treated with antibiotics and usually recover fast and completely with no lingering complications. Even patients that are diagnosed in the later stages rarely experience chronic complications, but it is possible.
What is chronic Lyme disease?
If Lyme disease is not promptly or adequately treated in the earlier stages of the disease, then late stage symptoms may appear. This means that the bacteria is still inside the body causing serious and chronic health issues that may never go away. Chronic symptoms include arthritis, pain, numbness, mental and heart defects.
Resources/Additional Information Links
Comentários