Lyme Disease: Awareness and Prevention for Safety this Season

Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are a health concern worldwide, especially as winter gives way to spring and summer. Understanding the risks, symptoms, and prevention strategies for Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses is crucial for protecting yourself and your loved ones. Here’s what you can do to make your time outdoors safer.

Understanding Lyme Disease

Lyme disease was first formally recognized in the United States in 1975 in Lyme, Connecticut. A group of children and adults in the area developed unusual arthritis-like symptoms, prompting an investigation by researchers. In 1981, Dr. Willy Burgdorfer identified the causative bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis).

Historical records suggest that Lyme disease may have existed for centuries, but it was not properly recognized as a distinct illness until the 20th century. For example, in 1909, Swedish dermatologist Arvid Afzelius documented the characteristic bull’s-eye rash (erythema migrans), which is a common early sign of Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is one of the most well-known tick-borne illnesses. It typically manifests in three stages:

• Early localized stage: Within three to 30 days after a tick bite, a distinctive bull’s-eye rash (erythema migrans) may appear at the bite site. Other symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, and headaches.
• Early disseminated stage: If untreated, the infection may spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Symptoms can include multiple rashes, severe headaches, neck stiffness, joint pain, heart palpitations, and facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy).
• Late disseminated stage: Months or years later, untreated Lyme disease can lead to severe arthritis, cognitive impairment, nerve pain, and chronic fatigue.

Other Tick-Borne Illnesses

Several other tick-borne illnesses pose significant health risks.

• Anaplasmosis: Caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, this illness leads to flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, and fatigue.
• Babesiosis: This disease is caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells. Symptoms include fever, chills, sweats, headache, and muscle aches.
• Ehrlichiosis: Caused by bacteria of the Ehrlichia tick species, results in fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, and fatigue. If untreated, it can lead to severe complications such as respiratory distress, neurological damage, and even death.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF): A serious illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. Symptoms include high fever, headache, rash, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pain.
• Powassan Virus: A rare but serious tick-borne illness, Powassan virus infection can cause fever, vomiting, confusion, seizures, and encephalitis (brain swelling).
• Tick-borne Encephalitis: Primarily found in parts of Europe and Asia, expose is primarily limited to those pursuing extended outdoor activities in woods, fields or forests.

Preventing Tick-Borne Illnesses

Since there is no vaccine for tick-borne illnesses, except for tick-borne encephalitis, reducing the risk of infection is key. Here are some of the most effective ways to do that.

• Avoid tick infested areas: Ticks thrive in grassy, wooded, and brushy areas. When hiking or spending time outdoors, stick to cleared trails and avoid tall grass and dense vegetation.
• Wear protective clothing: Dressing appropriately can help keep ticks off your skin. Wear long sleeves, long pants, and tuck pants into socks. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks before they attach.
• Use repellants containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. The Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool can help you find the product that best suits your needs. Always follow product instructions. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Treat clothing and gear for added protection.
  Tick repellants that feature natural oils, often thyme or cedar oils, are popular repellants. Regardless of your choice of repellant, guidelines shown in this section apply uniformly.
• Check for ticks: After spending time outdoors, thoroughly check your body, clothing, and pets for ticks. Pay special attention to areas like the scalp, behind the ears, under the arms, around the waist, and behind the knees where ticks can hide.
• Shower and wash clothing: Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help remove unattached ticks. Washing clothes in hot water and drying them on high heat can kill any ticks that may be hiding.
• Keep your yard tick free: Make your outdoor space less inviting to ticks by mowing the lawn regularly, removing leaf litter and brush and creating barriers with gravel or wood chips between wooded areas and lawns.
• Protect your pets: Dogs and cats can bring ticks into your home. Use veterinarian-recommended tick prevention treatments and regularly check your pets for ticks after outdoor activities.

What to Do If You Find a Tick and When to Seek Medical Attention

If you discover a tick attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking, as this can cause parts of the tick to break off and remain in the skin. Clean the bite area with soap and water or an antiseptic. Dispose of the tick by placing it in alcohol, sealing it in a bag, or flushing it down the toilet.

If you develop a rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms within several weeks of a tick bite, contact your physician, especially if the tick was attached for more than 36 hours and/or if it was engorged. If you are unsure whether the tick was fully removed, again, contact your physician.

Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Doctors typically diagnose Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses based on symptoms, tick exposure history, and laboratory tests. Lyme disease and bacterial tick-borne infections are usually treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime.

By taking proactive steps to protect yourself, your family, and your pets, you can enjoy the outdoors safely while minimizing the risks associated with ticks and the diseases they carry.