Alexander Gladney on Understanding Lyme Disease

Now that we are heading into the warmer months, you will most likely spend more time outside. This will put you in close contact with ticks, which put you at risk for contracting Lyme disease. What is this disease and how can you keep yourself from contracting it? Lyme disease is spread through ticks, which can easily attach themselves to your skin, especially while outside in wooded areas.

Risk Factors and Prevention

Spending time in wooded or grassy areas is a risk factor for contracting Lyme. In the United States, deer ticks are most common in the Northeast and Midwest regions, which have heavily wooded areas where deer ticks thrive. After spending time outdoors, it is important to comb your body and your clothes for a tick. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for at least ten minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing immediately after you come indoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has also been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check.

Early Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of Lyme disease are very similar to the flu, the difference between Lyme and the flu, however, is the rash that comes along with Lyme disease. Anywhere from a few days to a month after getting infected, people will develop a hallmark bullseye rash with a red circle, surrounded by a white ring and another red ring. In most cases, to transmit Lyme disease, a deer tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours. If you find an attached tick and it looks swollen, it may have fed long enough to transmit bacteria. Remove the tick as soon as possible and contact your doctor.

When to See a Doctor

If you think you've been bitten and have signs and symptoms of Lyme disease contact your doctor immediately. This is especially true if you live in an area that where Lymes Disease is particularly prevalent. Treatment for Lyme disease is more effective if begun early.

With the warm weather upon us, everyone is excited to be outdoors! Don’t let the fear of contracting Lyme disease keep you inside. Instead, do the research, understand the early signs and symptoms and seek immediate medical attention if you have reason to believe you have Lyme disease.