We all know about covering up when we’re outside, not only to protect our skin from sun damage, but also to avoid getting bitten by Lyme disease-carrying ticks. This disease can cause major, long-term health problems that stay with people for years, including everything from palsy, partial paralysis, and neurological problems to vertigo and cognitive issues. In short, it’s sneaky, it’s creepy, and it’s a major problem.
Yet if the disease is caught, especially in its early phases, it’s easily treatable. The trick is just knowing what to look for.
One of the most common early signs is a rash that radiates out from the site of the bite within a few days.
A rash like this will appear from an infected bite about 70-80% of the time, so it’s a pretty good indicator.
However, not all Lyme-infected bites will result in a rash. Other early symptoms include flu-like symptoms, fatigue, fever, and joint stiffness.
Lyme is spread via deer ticks, and it’s caused by the Borelia bacteria.
The best way to avoid Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites. If you’re going to be in thick brush, wear long pants and sleeves. Wearing light colors will help you spot ticks, too. After being in thickly wooded areas, do a thorough check for ticks. If you find any, remove them with a tweezer, and make sure to get the head and mandibles out. Removing any ticks quickly drastically decreases the chance of infection.
(via San Francisco Globe)
Don’t let the fear of Lyme disease prevent you from having fun outdoors this summer. However, you should remember that just like everything else, safety precautions need to be taken to ensure that the fun doesn’t get cut short!
For more information, you can check out any of the Lyme disease research and prevention organizations listed here, or talk to a doctor about Lyme disease prevention.
