Protect yourself against Lyme disease

As summer approaches, health officials are warning that Lyme disease could be particularly prevalent in the Northeast.

Research shows the number of mice found in forested areas the previous year correlates to how intense that year will be for Lyme cases. Last summer's count was high, and mice are known to transmit Lyme to ticks. According to AARP, this summer could see a record increase in the tick-borne illness in broad regions of the Northeast and upper Midwest.

In 2015, according to the CDC, 95 percent of confirmed Lyme disease cases were reported from 14 states — 12 of which are in the Northeast.

The Cause

Lyme disease is spread through the bite of infected deer ticks, which can latch on to any part of the human body and feed on blood. But the places in which they are found are often difficult to see without a thorough inspection — the scalp, back and groin, for example. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before Lyme disease can be transmitted.

Removing a Tick

The CDC instructs:

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure, without twisting or jerking.
3. After removal, thoroughly clean the bitten area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
4. Dispose of a live tick by submerging it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers. If you develop a rash within several weeks of removing the tick, see your doctor and tell them about the bite.

Symptoms

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms of infection can include fever, headache, fatigue, facial paralysis, arthritis and a skin rash called erythema migrans. 

If left untreated for days to months, the disease can result in episodes of dizziness, nerve pain, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, severe headaches, neck stiffness and more. It can also spread to the joints, heart and nervous system. 

How to Treat It

According to the CDC, most cases of Lyme disease can be treated with a few weeks of antibiotics. Some of the most common antibiotics include doxycycline, amoxicillin or cefuroxime axetil. Patients with certain neurological problems or cardiac illnesses may require intravenous treatment with drugs such as ceftriaxone or penicillin.

How to Prevent It

When living in areas where Lyme disease is common, there are several ways to prevent exposure to ticks. AARP lists the following ways to protect yourself.

1. Check yourself every day for ticks, including behind the ears and on the scalp, armpits and groin.
2. If you’ve been outside, dry your clothes on high heat for at least 20 minutes before washing.
3. If you find a tick, use tweezers to remove it.
4. Beware of bare skin. Wear long sleeves when navigating forested areas.
5. Seek treatment early if you think you might have been bitten.