Tick-borne illnesses like Lyme Disease are the fastest-growing vector-driven infectious disease concerns in the US. Prompt attention to a bite from ticks is a critical step in preventing infection. Learn the symptoms of Lyme disease and ways to prevent a tick bite.
What is Lyme Disease?
is the most common and well-known tick-borne illness. When a tick bites, the Lyme bacteria transfers through the bite into the bloodstream. Although Lyme disease can be transmitted by ticks of any size or maturity, immature ticks (also called nymphs) are typically the primary transmitters of the disease, because they are small and more likely to go unnoticed by their host.
Common Symptoms of Lyme Disease 
A red rash frequently appears at the site of the tick bite, but not always. If a rash does develop, it may form a pattern that resembles a bulls-eye or target, commonly referred to as an erythema migrans rash. However, don’t rule out Lyme disease if you don’t see this: only one-third of patients will develop a rash.
Often called “the great imitator,” Lyme disease can present a variety of symptoms that resemble those of other illnesses, including chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. This makes it particularly hard to diagnose.
Dr. Lisa Zimmermann, MD, has curated an extensive repertoire of treatment options through several decades of intensive research, training, and clinical practice. We were fortunate that she shared her thoughts on this brief video.
Tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease are the fastest-growing vector-borne infectious disease concerns in the U.S. Prompt and proper tick removal is a critical step in preventing infection. While Lyme disease is by far the most common of these tick-borne illnesses, diagnosed in some 30,000 Americans every year (but likely affects 10 times that figure because of underreporting), there are others that continue to grow in prevalence. Because ticks can be infected by multiple different pathogens, some people may have two or even three of these diseases at the same time, transmitted by the same tick bite. And because ticks are so small, people might be infected and not even know they got a tick bite in the first place. Less than a third of patients with Lyme disease recall a tick bite.
Learn more about managing Lyme Disease in this brief video.
What About Prevention?
The best strategy to treat Lyme Disease is prevention. Ideally, if you are going into an area where you may encounter ticks, you should tuck your pant legs into your socks and your shirt into your pants. Here are some other strategies:
- Avoid tick habitats, such as moist shady areas with leaf litter, overgrown grass, bushes and other low-lying vegetation.
- When you’re in a tick-infested area, wear a hat or scarf, long sleeves and long pants tucked into your socks.
- Use bug spray. Adults should choose an insect repellent containing DEET on the skin and permethrin on clothing to reduce the likelihood of tick bites.
- After each excursion, check for ticks. Lyme-carrying ticks can be as tiny as a poppy seed, so use a magnifying glass.
- If you find a tick, remove it with fine-tipped tweezers. Do not use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish or other products. Don’t twist the tick or squeeze too hard. If the mouthparts remain in the skin, don’t worry: The Lyme disease pathogens are in the tick’s mid-gut or salivary glands in the lower head.
- After removing the tick, watch for symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain and a bull’s-eye rash. Symptoms usually manifest after three to 30 days. You should see your doctor immediately if you develop any signs.
- Clean up your yard. Practice landscape control by mowing the grass often, and clearing leaves, litter, and overgrown areas to make your outdoor space less hospitable for mice or other animals that can carry ticks, or the ticks themselves.
From walking the dog to camping, it helps to know which ticks live in your area and what diseases they can spread. Most tick bites are painless or cause only minor symptoms, such as a change in skin color. But the bite from some ticks can be serious. Take steps to avoid ticks and when exposed to a tick take steps to avoid getting sick.
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