Lyme Disease: The Tiny Tick That Can Cause Big Problems – What Everyone Should Know
Tick bites are usually small and painless, but they can lead to big health issues if not caught early. Keystone Infectious Disease’s Medical Director, Dr. Raghavendra Tirupathi, and medical students studying under him, Dr. Kavyasri Gunukula and Dr. Nischitha Vallurupalli, share information about Lyme disease in today’s Take Care article.
Lyme disease is an infection that people can get from the bite of an infected tick. Ticks are tiny bug-like insects that live in grassy, bushy and wooded areas. Not every tick carries Lyme disease, but some can spread it when they stay attached to the skin for a long time.
How Do People Get Lyme Disease?
People get Lyme disease when they are bitten by an infected tick. Ticks are often found in tall grass, bushes, forests and wooded areas, leaf piles and gardens. Many people do not notice a tick bite because ticks are very small and their bites are usually painless.
Symptoms may appear a few days to a few weeks after a tick bite. Common symptoms include a red rash that slowly gets bigger, fever, chills, headache, tiredness, muscle and joint aches and swollen lymph nodes.
Some people develop a rash that looks like a bullseye, with a red ring around the center.
How Is Lyme Disease Diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, recent tick bites and time spent outdoors in tick-prone areas. They may also order blood tests to help confirm the diagnosis. In some cases, Lyme disease can be diagnosed based on symptoms and the appearance of the rash.
Lyme disease is usually treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. Most people recover completely when treatment is started early. It is important to take all medicines exactly as directed, even if you start feeling better.
What Can Happen If Lyme Disease Is Not Treated?
If Lyme disease is not treated, it can cause more serious health problems, such as severe joint pain and swelling, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, weakness of the face muscles, problems with memory and concentration, heart rhythm problems and long-lasting fatigue. Early treatment greatly reduces the chance of these complications.
What Should You Do After A Tick Bite?
If you find a tick on your skin remove it as soon as possible, clean the area with soap and water and watch for symptoms such as a rash, fever or tiredness. Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms develop or if the tick was attached to your skin for a long time (usually 36 hours or more).
How Do You Remove A Tick Safely?
Follow these simple steps: Use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upward slowly and steadily; do not twist or crush the tick. Clean the bite area with soap and water after removal and wash your hands well.
Avoid using nail polish, petroleum jelly, alcohol or heat to remove a tick.
Can Lyme Disease Be Prevented?
Yes. You can lower your risk by taking simple precautions when spending time outdoors, such as walking on clear paths and avoiding tall grass, wearing long sleeves, long pants and closed shoes and using tick repellent on skin and clothing.
Check your body for ticks after being outside and shower soon after coming indoors. Wash and dry outdoor clothes on high heat.
Lyme disease is a treatable infection that spreads through the bite of an infected tick. The best protection is to avoid tick bites, check for ticks after outdoor activities and seek medical advice if you develop symptoms after a tick bite. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious health problems.
This article contains general information only and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment or care by a qualified health care provider.
