What should you do if you think you might have lyme disease?

Answer 1

Lyme disease is caused by being bitten by ticks. Ticks are common in certain areas, particularly those inhabited by certain animals. Sheep, deer, birds and other animals.

A tick climbs up grass leaves/stalks, waits in leaf litter, passes from animal to animal, including your dog, and will then attach to your legs, A tick can also attach to you anywhere else on your body if it is exposed.

To protect yourself you need to eliminate or reduce the chance of a tick getting onto your body. If you're walking in areas where ticks might live you should wear long trousers and preferably tuck your trousers into your socks. Always examine yourself for ticks after being in problematic areas.. Initially the ticks will only be the size of a pinhead. Once the tick is attached to you it will suck your blood. You must remove the tick as soon as possible and it is critical that it is removed in the right way or you may actually squeeze some of the ticks body fluids into yourself.

You can also buy tick repellant to use. Check your pets for ticks, consider treating your pets with anti-tick pesticides.

Stay safe by being aware of tick risk areas. I live in the UK and in the Lake District our dog has picked up ticks on all three occasions we have been there.

Lyme disease is very nasty. It might never affect you or it might affect you many years after being infected. It can be treated by antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause it.

Remember that prevention is better than cure.

Answer 2

Lyme disease is not contagious. A human can contract Lyme disease when bitten by a deer tick called Ixodes scapularis, infected by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. To prevent infection, avoid going to areas where deer ticks can be found (specifically the Northeastern United States).

For more information, review information available from the Centers for Disease Control [related links]

Answer 3

Lyme Disease is contracted from infected ticks. To protect yourself from Lyme Disease, take special care in areas where you may be exposed to ticks. Ticks are prone to heavily wooded areas and thick brushy areas.

During the summer, you are at a higher risk of encountering infected ticks. Before engaging in any activity which may expose you to ticks, use a tick repellent on your clothes and cover as much skin as possible with clothing.

After any type of exposure to an area that you may have encountered ticks, inspect your skin careful and bathe in hot water or take a hot shower. Ticks are likely to be found in the scalp, armpits, groin area, back of the neck, behind the knees or behind the ears.

In most cases, if the tick is removed during the first 24 to 36 hours, the tick will not have time to transmit the spirochete that causes Lyme Disease.

Answer 4

look for a growing rash and call a doctor