Lyme disease is big in the news right now, but what is it? And how do you know if you have it?
Let’s Learn About Lyme!
Lyme disease is an illness caused by Borrelia bacteria, which is usually carried by a tick and can be transferred to a human via its bite. You’re at the most risk if you spend time where ticks live, such as grassy, brushy or wooded areas.
What are the Symptoms?
A tick bite will appear in the form of a small bump (similar to a mosquito bite). While tick bites can itch, many people who are bitten never notice them at all. Early symptoms of Lyme disease can be seen from 3 to 30 days after the bite.
Stage 1 symptoms include: Rash, fever, headache, extreme tiredness, joint stiffness, muscle aches and pains and swollen lymph nodes.
Stage 2 symptoms can appear in 3-10 weeks if the disease is left untreated, and the symptoms get worse.
Stage 2 symptoms include: Multiple rashes, neck pain or stiffness, muscle weakness on both sides of the face, irregular heartbeats, pain that spreads from back, to hips and then legs, painful eye or eyelid swelling, vision loss and pain, numbness or weakness in the hands or feet.
Stage 3 symptoms can appear after 2-12 months
Stage 3 Symptoms include: Arthritis in the knees and discoloration of the skin.
How Can I Prevent Lyme Disease?
You can prevent tick bites by: Using EPA approved insect repellent, wearing long-sleeve shirts/long jeans tucked into your socks/shoes that cover the entire foot, showering and checking for ticks right after being in grassy, brushy or wooded areas. If you find a tick attached, remember to remove it right away! Quick removal dramatically lowers the odds that a disease will be transmitted.