May 1st was the day that saw many people, including myself, wearing bright green. Some took photos sucking on a lime for the Lyme disease awareness challenge. I unfortunately happened to be dog sitting this weekend, so this blog post comes a little later but is no less important!

The whole of May is designated as Lyme awareness month, although the date chosen to wear green and represent awareness for said disease was May 1st. Many people have heard of Lyme disease. Transmitted by Blacklegged ticks, also known as ‘deer ticks’, Borrelia burgdorferi is the name of the bacteria that is passed from the infected tick to a human. The blacklegged tick spreads Lyme in the Northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and North-central United States. The western blacklegged tick spreads Lyme disease on the Pacific Coast. Although a course of antibiotics can successfully treat Lyme if it is caught early, it can cause a whole host of other problems if it is not–a disease that can effect the heart, joints and nervous system. So what are the symptoms of Lyme?

Symptoms of Lyme are very generalized when they start, though erythema migrans (EM), a rash that appears 3-30 days after infection–as do most of the primary symptoms–is often a telltale sign. It tends to appear about a week after the bite, and can expand to 12 inches. Often part of the rash disappears and leaves a ‘bulls eye’ marking. It is very important to note that sometimes this rash does not present at all; not the rash or the bulls eye mark, even if Lyme is contracted. Still, it is a telltale symptom to watch for nonetheless. EM can appear on other parts of the body as Lyme progresses. It isn’t itchy or painful but often feels warm to the touch. Since it can appear on any part of the body, it might not be noticed until it grows larger. An initial tick bite might itch and look like a mosquito bite.

Other general symptoms include fatigue, fever, headaches, muscle and joint aches and swollen lymph nodes. As Lyme progresses, however, symptoms can grow to include loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face known as Facial or Bell’s Palsy, meningitis, pain and swelling in large joints, shooting pains, heart palpatations and dizziness, arthritis, chronic neurological problems, cognitive difficulties, sleep disturbances and continued extreme fatigue. Meningitis is an inflammation of the spine that results in severe headaches and neck stiffness. It alone can be very dangerous. It is important if you experience one or more of these symptoms you go and see your physician as soon as possible.

It is key to be tested for and catch Lyme disease early. The longer it goes without treatment, the more problems will arise from it. Even months and years after treatment with antibiotics, the accompanying problems Lyme disease causes can linger and continue to present themselves. While the rash is one of the easiest symptoms to recognize, if you suspect or know you’ve been bitten by a tick–some even have to remove them carefully!–you should request testing for Lyme. It is imperative to remove a tick as soon as possible.

The blacklegged tick nymph is most often responsible for spreading Lyme disease. It is about 2mm in size and very hard to spot, especially since ticks like to most commonly attach themselves to their host in hard to reach places. The groin, armpits and scalp are favorite places for the ticks to attach. They are active during spring and summer months. While adult ticks also spread Lyme, there is less chance of contracting Lyme from an adult because they are so much easier to see, and more quickly removed. Adults feed in the cooler months. If a tick, adult or nymph, is removed properly and quickly, there is a good chance Lyme won’t be transmitted, as the tick needs to be attached 36 to 48 hours for the bacterium to transmit. So how to safely and completely remove a tick?

The safest way to remove a tick is with a pair of fine tipped tweezers, or a tick key like the one in the image above. There are tweezers or tools like them sold specifically for tick removal. Yet the steps for use of either fine tipped tweezers or these are as follows:

1. Grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible with the tweezers.
2. Pull upwards gently and consistently. Don’t try to twist or turn or the mouth pieces or head of the tick can remain embedded in the skin. If that happens, try and remove the remaining parts with the tweezers and if you can’t just let the skin heal over.
3. Thoroughly clean the area with rubbing alcohol, iodine, or antibacterial soap and water.
4. Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of live ticks by drowning it in rubbing alcohol or flushing it down the toilet.
5. If a rash appears at the site of the tick bite or anywhere else on the body, go see your doctor and request testing for Lyme.

Don’t panic if you notice you’ve been bitten by a tick. This doesn’t mean you have contracted Lyme. Simply remove and dispose of it safely and be attentive to any symptoms that may arise following a known tick bite. In the meantime, try to take preventative measures against ticks for yourself, your pets and your yard. How to do this?

For people, there is DEET repellents. Make sure there is 20% to 30% DEET in the repellent. Spray yourself and your clothing. There is also permethrin. Spray gear, tents and boots with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Have a bath and wash your hair thoroughly after a hike, checking carefully for ticks. Remove any you may find immediately. Check your gear and pets thoroughly for ticks. Tumble dry clothes on high heat for at least an hour as this will kill any remaining ticks on your clothes.

For pets, there are products such as Revolution to prevent ticks and fleas. Nonetheless, always check your pets as best you can for ticks, and remove any you find in the same fashion as you would on yourself. At every vet examination, ask your vet to check for ticks. Be aware of any tick borne diseases in your area–your vet may also know this. You can also take measures to prevent ticks in your yard. Regularly mow your lawn. Keep leaves raked. Put a 3 foot barrier of gravel or wood chips between your lawn and any wooded area, around play structures and patios. Remove any old furniture or mattresses and places that can give ticks a place to hide. Stack wood in a dry, safe place. Place any lawn furniture and children’s play items in a sunny place away from the wooded edges of lawns. As long as you are careful, you can reduce the risk of ticks in your yard, or on your pets, and from biting you!

I have several friends who contracted Lyme disease. It is hard for them living with the fatigue, dizziness, pain and other horrible symptoms Lyme has caused them. To me, it is really important to raise awareness of this disease. Recently, singer Avril Lavigne spoke out about her experience with Lyme disease. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Foster also contracted it and was forced to leave the reunion of the show due to it. It really raised awareness in a big way, yet there really can’t be enough of that done when it comes to diseases such as Lyme. Prevention is the best method, so hopefully reading this will make others aware so they can act to prevent this happening to them, or know how to act quickly if it does.

I apologize for the busy weekend I had that prevented me from getting this blog up in a more timely manner, and thank you for reading and hopefully even sharing this with your friends, family and loved ones. If you know someone with Lyme, remember it isn’t easy, as most non-visible illnesses aren’t. They might not look it on the outside but it is very, very hard to deal with an invisible illness, so be patient and understanding of them and their struggle, as it is very real. Thank you all for reading, my ducklings, and take care until next blog,

Much respect and love,

Tales of Souls