How to Protect Yourself From Lyme Disease: Tips for Prevention and Early Detection

Understanding Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is passed through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks in most of Michigan. These ticks become infected by feeding on small mammals, birds, and deer that carry the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium. 

Once infected, the ticks can transmit the bacteria to humans during their blood meals. Deer ticks typically need to stay attached for 36 to 48 hours or more to transmit the infection, so the longer the tick sticks, the higher the risk.

The initial Lyme disease symptoms typically include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans, which often looks like a bull's eye. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system, leading to more severe symptoms and complications.

Fortunately, the prognosis for Lyme disease is generally good if diagnosed and treated early with appropriate antibiotics. 

Most people recover fully with prompt treatment, although some may experience lingering symptoms such as fatigue, pain, or cognitive difficulties, a condition referred to as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS).

Lyme Disease Prevention Tips

• Avoid Tick-Infested Areas: By far the best thing you can do to decrease your risk is steer clear of deer ticks and their environments. These ticks thrive in grassy, brushy, and wooded areas, so be aware. When hiking or spending time outdoors, stick to the center of trails and avoid brushing against vegetation as much as possible.
  
  
• Use Insect Repellent: Apply insect repellent containing 20-30% DEET on exposed skin and clothing. For clothing, you can also use permethrin, a synthetic chemical that kills ticks on contact.
  
  
• Wear Protective Clothing: Although insect repellant is helpful, it’s not entirely effective. To add an extra layer of protection, dress in long sleeves and long pants, and tuck your pants into your socks to create a barrier. Keep in mind that light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks. Therefore, it’s probably best to avoid wearing black, navy, and other dark colors on your next hike.
  
  
• Perform Regular Tick Checks: After spending time outdoors, thoroughly check your body for ticks. Pay special attention to areas like the scalp, armpits, groin, and behind the knees. If possible, have someone else check your hard-to-see spots! Showering within two hours of being outdoors can also help wash off unattached ticks.
  
  
• Treat Pets for Ticks: Unfortunately, pets can also unknowingly bring ticks into your home. Use veterinarian-recommended tick prevention treatments for your dogs, cats, and other animals, and regularly check them for ticks.
  
  
• Maintain Your Yard: Keep your yard tick-free by mowing the lawn regularly, removing leaf litter, and creating a barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and wooded areas.

Is There a Treatment for Lyme Disease? 

As mentioned earlier, Lyme disease can usually be treated effectively with a course of antibiotics. According to the CDC, most cases of Lyme disease can be successfully treated with 2-4 weeks of antibiotics.

Why Early Detection Matters 

Early detection of Lyme disease is crucial. Prompt treatment can prevent the infection from spreading and causing more severe symptoms and complications, such as arthritis, heart problems, and neurological issues. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), only 5-10% of patients treated for Lyme disease with antibiotics will have prolonged symptoms such as fatigue, body aches, or difficulty thinking. The sooner you can get treated, the better.

Lyme Disease Red Flags 

If you’ve been exposed to a tick, or even think you might have been, be aware of the following Lyme disease symptoms:

• Erythema Migrans (EM) Rash
  One of the earliest signs of Lyme disease is a red, expanding rash that often resembles a bull's-eye. It usually appears within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite.
  
  
• Flu-Like Symptoms
  Fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes are common early symptoms of Lyme disease. The body responds to the bacterial infection by releasing immune mediators, which can essentially make you feel like you have the flu.
  
  
• Joint Pain
  Unexplained joint pain, particularly in the knees, may be an early sign of Lyme disease. The bacteria can invade the joint tissues, causing inflammation that can become severe and persistent.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

1. Remove the Tick Properly: Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick. Or better yet, use a tick removal tool and follow the tool's directions.
   
   
2. Clean the Bite Area: After removing the tick, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
   
   
3. Monitor for Symptoms: Keep an eye on the bite area and your health for the next few weeks. If you develop any symptoms of Lyme disease, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Stay Safe Out There This Summer! 

By taking preventive measures and being vigilant about early detection, you can protect yourself and your family from Lyme disease. Enjoy the beautiful outdoors of Michigan, but do so with caution and awareness.

Want more information?

Below is a list of Michigan sites that are useful and can offer additional education.

• https://www.mlda.org/  (Michigan Lyme Disease Association)
• https://www.michigan.gov/documents/emergingdiseases/Lyme_risk_map2020_697081_7.pdf  (Michigan Lyme Disease Risk map by location for 2024)
• https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hw77226  (University of Michigan Lyme disease education)

Exposed to a Tick in Lake Odessa? Visit Family Medical Center. 

We are a primary care, patient-centered medical home (PCMH) serving your whole family with an emphasis on proactive and preventive medical care. If you or your loved one has been bitten by a tick, we’re happy to help you identify and treat any potential signs of Lyme disease. 

Request an appointment today. It never hurts to be overly cautious, especially when it comes to ticks.