The Truth about Lymne Disease

What is Lyme disease [LD]? What happens to your body when infected? Many people associate LD with ticks and underestimate its consequences. If left untreated, this disease could become deadly.

LD was introduced in 1975 following an outbreak of arthritis in children living near Lyme, Connecticut. After careful study, scientists discovered that this disease was caused by bacteria [borrelia burgdorferi] transmitted to humans via tick bites.

When infected, LD attacks your skin, joints, nervous system, and in worst cases, organs. This is a deadly disease if left undiagnosed and untreated.

So, what are the signs of LD?

The “bull’s eye” rash is most commonly associated with LD. [white in the center, surrounded by red]. Nonetheless, many people tend to develop only a red rash or a bull’s eye pattern with redness in the center. If diagnosed in its early stages, LD can be treated with antibiotics.

Planning on a trip to the great outdoors?

Protect yourself against tick bites! Deer ticks are mostly found in dark shady places [moist ground near forests]. They cannot jump or fly; instead they crawl onto your skin and search for dark protected areas [back of your knee, armpit, neck, ears, etc]. Then they begin to pierce your skin until they find a blood supply.

Okay, you just noticed a tick on your body. Don’t panic! You can properly remove it!

Tweezers are best, but you could also use your fingers. Delicately snatch the tick by its mouthparts [that’s where it enters your skin] and slowly pull it out. Do not try to squeeze the tick's body! If you do, its head will remain inside your skin, in which case LD could still be transmitted!