Camping season has officially arrived (and unfortunately brought the summer bugs with it). As warmer weather heads our way, it's a great time to get outside with your family and pets. To keep both you and your pets safe, it's recommended that you perform tick checks when you come inside. Anyone is susceptible to getting Lyme disease and it can have some serious health effects. When left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to other parts of your body after infection. You may experience common symptoms like fever, headache, fatigue, or a skin rash, or you may develop Lyme-related psychiatric or neurological symptoms which can include anxiety, mood swings, executive functioning issues, or sensory issues.
Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the United States. It is transmitted through tick bites. The black-legged ticks that transmit the Borrelia bacteria - which causes Lyme - must attach to the body for 36-48 hours or more to transmit the infection. One of the earliest signs of Lyme is the ‘bulls-eye’ rash. Other symptoms include fever, chills, aches, and pains. While most early Lyme infections can be treated with antibiotics, many individuals may continue to experience debilitating symptoms for months or even years despite treatment.
There are two stages in which Lyme disease can affect those who have contracted the disease. Early disseminated Lyme disease can appear days or weeks after someone has been bitten by a tick, causing bull’s eye rashes to show. Late disseminated Lyme disease can show up months or even years after you have been bitten by a tick and can cause more severe symptoms like short term memory loss.
Lyme disease is truly the great imitator because it can mimic many different conditions - this makes proper diagnosis really challenging!
Early diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease are vital. When the diagnosis is delayed, treatments are much less effective, and cure may be elusive. Early stages of Lyme disease can often seem flu-like as they can include symptoms such as a cough, a fever, or a sore throat. These flu-like symptoms will often accompany a localized rash around where the tick bite was.
84% of Lyme patients were not diagnosed within the first 4 months of illness
16% in less than 4 months
12% within 5-11 months
17% within 1-2 years
20% within 2-6 years
36% of patients are diagnosed 6 years or longer after the onset of symptoms
Out of those who are treated for Lyme disease, 20% still exhibit symptoms afterward. Millions of Americans still suffer from Post-Treatment Lyme Disease. It's important to stay informed and keep yourself and your family safe against tick bites.
At AMA Clinic in Lynn, MA, we specialize in the treatment of Lyme disease and accompanying co-infections. The best way to avoid being infected with Lyme disease - and co-infections - is to avoid being bitten by a tick. You can decrease your risk with some simple precautions: dress properly, use insect repellents, tick-proof your yard, remove a tick as soon as possible with tweezers, keen on inspecting the ticks.
How to Prevent Lyme Disease
Ticks are generally found in tall grass or leaf litter, typically not more than 3 feet off of the ground. Avoid walking through these areas. Walk in the middle of trails, avoiding the brush next to the trail.
Wearing light colors can make it easier to spot the dark-colored ticks before they bite.
Consider pretreating clothing with permethrin. This is one of the most effective ways to avoid being bitten. Treated clothing is effective for 2 to 6 weeks and lasts through multiple washings. There are certain companies that pre-treat with permethrin. Permethrin is an insecticide and kills ticks on contact.
Pets should also be treated appropriately and checked frequently!
Do tick checks! It is important to perform frequent and careful tick check during and after potential exposure to ticks/their habitats. Again, this applies to pets too.
Once home put clothing worn outdoors in the dryer on high; the high heat will kill the ticks. Wet clothing should dry for an hour.
Use or make tick tubes! Place these outdoors in your yard (see previous post for how to make these)
For more information for how we can help please call us at (781) 581-6181 or contact us ONLINE!
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