4 Things That You Should Know About Ticks And Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection which is generally caused by the bite of an infected black-legged tick. This disease is also popularly known as a deer tick. With Lyme diseases, there are a lot of controversies that are attached to it. This diseases and its numerous co-infections tend to mimic symptoms of various diseases. Lyme Specialist Virginia often refer this diseases as a great imitator. Lyme disease causes a multitude of medical, neurological, and psychiatric impairment issues, yet is much harder to cure.

Following are the top things for Lyme prevention that everyone should know about:-

One of the very first things to do is to check for ticks at the end of every day. Usually, ticks are most prone to moist and warm areas like groin, armpits, and scalp. While checking for the ticks make sure that you check these areas carefully as black-legged tick often transmits when it’s in the nymph stage, and nymphs are really tiny in size. In case while finding an attached tick make sure that you grab its base with tweezers and pull it upward with steady pressure. In case if you get the tick that is alive make sure that you flush it in the toilet. Other than human beings also make sure that you check your pets if you have them. Also, check your clothing and avoid wearing clothes that are not washed.

Prevention is the key to make sure that you avoid such situation or condition that can give rise to the ticks. Preventing them in the first place is best to avoid any ticks. Usually, kids play around bushes and tall grasses which are quite prone for ticks to hang out. Make sure that you prevent them in the first place and use a repellent on exposed skin.

One of the most important prevention factor according to Dr. Shor is to be always on the lookout for symptoms of Lyme diseases. Make sure that you do ticks checks at the end of every day as it takes at least 24 hours and more often 36 to 48 hours for an infected tick to transmit Lyme which not many people know. Bulls-eye rash being the most common symptom make sure that you are always on the lookout of it. Make sure that you contact your doctors in case if anyone experiences chill, fevers, aches, and pains for no clear reason, along with swollen lymph nodes or swelling of one or more joints.

There’s a lot of misinformation about Lyme diseases and its testing and treatment which is why healthcare experts often recommend that it is important to use laboratories that use evidence-based norms and processes to detect the disease. It is also highly recommended not to undergo any testing for Lyme disease if an individual has no clear sign and symptoms of Lyme disease.

While a good percentage of patients are recovering from Lyme disease completely there are also some patients that tend to suffer from joint swelling, fatigue and pain post the treatment. While there is no specific treatment for Lyme disease a mix of medication and therapies have proven to be quite helpful in minimizing the symptoms as well.