It’s a disease that’s on the rise every year, with over 25,000 people affected and infected, especially during the spring and summer months. Yet Lyme disease is preventable if the right measures are taken. “Lyme disease is an important public health problem for people of all ages. It is the most commonly diagnosed tick-borne disease in the United States,” says Lisa Kassenoff, DO, a family medicine physician on staff at Kimball Medical Center. “If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to serious health problems, chronic arthritis, nerve, and heart damage.”
Reports of Lyme disease are on the increase, however health department officials believe that many more cases of Lyme disease go unreported. So the numbers are probably more than dramatic than reported. Anyone can get it, however, it is more prevalent in children under the age of 10.
Lyme disease, first named in 1977, is caused by a bacterium that is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected deer ticks. The tick is about the size of a poppy seed when in its immature stage. Not all deer ticks are infected.
Since the disease is spread by tick bites, prevention is the key.
“We are entering the time of the year where tick problems are most evident,” explains Dr. Kassenoff. “May through September are the most common months for tick bites. We want people to know about ways to prevent tick bites, know what to do if bitten and to seek medical treatment if disease symptoms occur.”
“Individuals can take steps to protect themselves by wearing appropriate clothing and checking their body for the presence of ticks,” Dr. Kassenoff says.
The best preventive measure is to avoid areas where ticks live – tall grass, brush and wooded areas – especially during the late spring and early summer. Keep your lawn mowed, cut overgrown brush, and clear any leaf litter away from the home.
Anyone in areas favored by white-tailed deer, like here in the northeast, should check themselves, their children and their pets daily for ticks, especially in the ears, scalp, armpits, groin and other skin folds.
“If you live, play, work or visit an area where ticks are found, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing to enable you to more easily spot ticks. Wear long sleeves and long pant legs, making sure the pant legs are tucked into socks and the shirt is tucked into pants,” she says.
Consider using insect repellent, according to manufacturer’s instructions, when planning to be outdoors.
If you find a tick on your body, remove it properly and immediately. If possible, use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible and pull straight back and up with a slow steady force. If you are without tweezers, use your fingers, but protect them by using a tissue or glove. Do not crush the tick’s body as it may contain infectious fluids.
Do not use petroleum jelly, hot matches, nail polish remover, or any other substance to remove a tick. By using these substances, you may actually increase your chance of infection.
Wash the area with soap and water and apply an antiseptic when the tick has been removed. Write on a calendar the date you removed the tick and the area of the body from which it was removed. Check that area every day for a month for a red ring-like rash. It takes at least 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease.
“Although prevention is best, if you develop Lyme disease symptoms, seek treatment immediately,” Dr. Kassenoff emphasizes. “You should see your health care provider if you develop flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, chills and tiredness. Other indicators include a rash, or muscle and joint aches or pain, within three to 32 days after you find a tick attached.”
The early symptoms of Lyme disease usually occur within the first month after the tick bite. Later symptoms can occur several weeks to several months later, and may include arthritis, neurological problems, heart problems, memory loss, difficulty concentrating or numbness and tingling of your arms and legs.
The most common symptom of Lyme disease is a circular reddish expanding rash often at the site of the tick bite. It typically has a pale center with a red rim, giving the appearance of a bull’s eye.
“The disease may be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can mimic many other disorders. Blood tests can be helpful in the diagnosis of Lyme disease but should not be used exclusively,” Dr. Kassenoff explains.
All stages of Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics under the care of your health care provider. It is almost never too late to treat it, but intravenous antibiotic treatment may be necessary for patients with late indications of Lyme disease. Long-term problems can be prevented with early attention and treatment.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lisa Kassenoff or another Family Medicine physician on staff at Kimball Medical Center, please call the Saint Barnabas Health Care Link at 1-888-SBHS-123 (888-724-7123).