5 Widespread Questions About Lyme Disease

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Lyme disease is a serious condition that has become extremely widespread in recent years. For this reason, Lyme disease generates many questions from patients. This disease spreads through the bite of an infected black-legged tick, also known as a deer tick. Untreated Lyme disease can cause a lot of complications. That is why every person should be educated about this condition to preserve their own health and the health of their loved ones. 

Below are answers to 5 common questions about Lyme disease. 

1. Do I necessarily get Lyme disease if I’ve been bitten by a tick?

If you have been bitten by a tick, this doesn’t necessarily indicate that you are infected with Lyme disease. But the risk still persists. Your risk of being bitten by an infected tick depends on the type of tick, where you acquired it, and how long it was attached to you. There are many types of ticks that can bite you in the United States. But only black-legged ticks are commonly infected and can spread Lyme disease. 

Even if black-legged bites you, you have about 24 hours to remove them before they transmit Lyme disease. For this reason, it is so important to remove the tick as soon as possible and keep tracking your well being daily. 

2. What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

The symptoms of Lyme disease can vary from person to person. But they usually have some common patterns that help diagnose this condition. At an early stage, Lyme disease usually causes redness and bump in the area of the tick’s bite. This bump disappears after several days. Within the month after being bitten, the red spot that is clear in the center can appear and migrate on your body. This is a primary symptom of Lyme disease. 

In addition to the rush, you can experience symptoms like swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, headaches, and muscle pains. If you have these symptoms, you need to contact your healthcare provider immediately. 

Untreated Lyme disease can result in serious health problems. The most common of them include:

- Joint pain is a common Lyme disease complication. It can cause flares of intense joint pain and swelling. The pain usually affects the knees, but may also migrate to other joints. In this case, you’ll most likely have to visit the pain doctor for a pain relievers prescription to reduce discomfort

- Neurological problems can develop months and years after a tick’s bite. In the worst case, the infection can cause inflammation of the membranes around your brain. This can lead to facial paralysis, loss of sensation in the limbs, and poor control over your muscles

- Other less common long-term symptoms of Lyme disease include the inflammation of the eyes, liver, and heart muscle

3. When do I need to visit a doctor?

It is important to visit the doctor if you've been bitten by a tick and have symptoms. But even if you don’t have symptoms, it is still recommended to visit your doctor to remove the tick and get it tested for Lyme disease. 

If you have had the symptoms, but they disappeared after several days, you still need to visit the doctor. The absence of the symptoms doesn’t mean that the disease disappears. It can progress in your body for several years without the symptoms until it becomes too late to prevent complications. The earlier you begin the treatment, the lower your risk of complications. 

4. How can I prevent Lyme disease?

The easiest way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid areas where black-legged ticks live. But if it isn’t p[ossible, some tips can help you decrease the risk of being bitten. First, you need to cover all open parts of your body in woods or grassy areas. Wear long pants tucked into your socks, shirts with long sleeves, gloves, and hats. You may also use special insect repellents that protect from ticks. 

When you return home from the wood or grassy areas, be sure to check your clothing and body for the presence of ticks. It also can be helpful to shower and wash your clothing as soon as you come indoors. 

5. What treatments are available for Lyme disease?

The treatment of Lyme disease includes antibiotics. If you’ve been diagnosed with Lyme disease, the doctor can suggest oral or intravenous antibiotics. The therapy usually lasts between 14-28 days. Antibiotics help eliminate the infection from the body and relieve the symptoms.