Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is an infection that affects multiple systems in the body. It is carried by deer ticks and can cause a variety of symptoms. Lyme disease is a common arthropod-borne illness (meaning coming from insects), with about 30,000 cases reported annually to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More cases appear in the northeast and upper mid-west, but cases have appeared throughout the United States. Not all ticks carry the Lyme disease bacteria, but if you do have a tick bite and notice symptoms, seek medical attention.

Even if deer ticks aren’t common where you live, it’s still important to know the symptoms of Lyme disease, especially if you plan on traveling.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Many people overlook the early symptoms of Lyme disease because they can be mild. These symptoms generally occur 3 to 30 days after a tick bite:

An Erythema migraines (EM) rash, which often resembles a bulls-eye or target
Fever and chills
Joint pain
Swollen lymph nodes

People who have a sun-tan or have dark skin may have a dark bruise instead of a rash. As the infection progresses, symptoms may get much worse and include:

Severe headaches
Neck stiffness
Arthritis
Facial palsy
Dizziness
Nerve pain
Shooting pains in the hands and feet
Sore throat

Symptoms of Lyme disease mimic other illnesses, which is another reason that Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose.

How Do You Get Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is carried by deer ticks. When a deer tick bites you, it leaves Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium that travels through your bloodstream and attacks the skin, joint and nervous system. Generally, Lyme disease is more common in those who spend a lot of time outdoors.

Deer ticks like to inhabit tall grass and brush, but any natural area with vegetation could have deer ticks. Deer ticks also won’t fly or jump onto you. Instead, you usually have to come into direct contact with a tick.

Protecting Yourself From Ticks

Ticks prefer protected areas of your body, like the armpit, back of the knee, groin or navel. When working or playing in nature, take precautions to avoid ticks:

Use an insect repellant that contains DEET
Wear light-colored clothing to spots ticks that land on you
Keep your hair tied back
Don’t sit on the ground or on stone walls
After gardening, hiking or camping, you should check yourself for ticks

If you do see a tick on your skin, don’t panic. Instead:

Remember that not all ticks carry disease. Even if the tick does carry Lyme disease, early treatment can easily cure the condition.
Remove the tick properly by using fine-tipped tweezers to pull the tick, but be careful to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and avoid pulling on just the body.
Avoid common folklore remedies, such as using petroleum jelly or a match to try and get the tick to back out.
Dispose of the tick by putting it in alcohol, flushing it down the toilet or putting it in a sealed bag.
Clean the bite wound with antiseptic.
Monitor the site for up to a month to watch for a rash.

How Is Lyme Disease Treated?

Lyme disease is typically treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline or amoxicillin. Most people who get treatment recover rapidly and completely. However, treatment may be more complicated when the disease has progressed. Your healthcare provider will have to personalize treatment based on your health conditions, medical history, allergies and symptoms. Some people do have fatigue and muscle aches for six months or more after treatment.

If you are concerned about a tick bite, talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms.