Lyme disease is most frequently reported in the Northeastern United States, but has been found in all 50 states and several international countries. Based on the CDC’s findings and risk map, most of New York state lies within the moderate to high risk level and studies show that summer months have the highest rate of onset. Although all ages and gender are susceptible to Lyme disease, it is most commonly found among children age 5-14 and adults 45-54 years old. The latest statistics gathered from 2003-2005 show that about 20,000 new cases are reported each year. Based on these findings, it is important to consider tips for prevention and protection.

Lyme disease is a bacterial disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, which is carried primarily by deer ticks. Deer ticks are brown and are often no bigger than the head of a pin, which makes them nearly impossible to detect. In areas where Lyme disease is common, as many as 50 percent of deer ticks may carry the bacterium. These ticks act as a vector and transmit the bacteria from animal hosts to humans by attaching themselves to an individual to feed. Not all ticks are infected and studies of infected deer ticks show that they begin transmitting Lyme disease an average of 36-48 hours after attachment.

If infected with Lyme disease, symptoms vary widely because the disease can affect various parts of the body. In general, symptoms may include a rash, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and possible neurological problems. Initially a rash may appear within a few days to a month after the initial tick bite. It may be warm and tender to the touch. The redness may expand forming a rash that resembles a bull’s-eye with a red ring around a clear area and a red center. This rash called erythema migrans is one of the signature marks of Lyme disease affecting about 70-80 percent of those infected. Fever, headache, joint aches and muscle pain usually accompany early stages of the disease. If left untreated, Lyme disease may develop into neurological problems such as meningitis, Bell’s palsy, numbness in limbs or impaired muscle movement. No vaccine is currently available to prevent Lyme disease but in most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics. The length and dose of the antibiotic is dependent on the stages of the disease.

The sooner an individual is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome, therefore, see your physician immediately if you know you have been bitten by a tick and develop symptoms. 

Due to the fact that there is currently no vaccine and studies have shown that your chances of contracting Lyme disease are greatly reduced if you remove a tick within the first 48 hours, prevention is essential.

• The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid places where ticks are found. High risk areas include the edges of lawns, shrubs and bushes, leaf litter, stone walls and wood piles. While hiking stay in the center of the trail and avoid contact with overgrown grass and brush.

• While walking in wooded areas or areas where ticks may be present, wear light colored clothing so that ticks can be easily detected. You should also wear long sleeved shirts and tuck your pants into your socks. Always wear shoes and it is advised that you consider wearing a hat and tying back long hair.

• Discourage deer that may be carrying infected ticks around your home by constructing barriers to prevent them from entering your yard. Consider planting deer resistant shrubs, removing easily accessible bird feeders and do not feed deer on your property.

• Application of insect repellents containing DEET to clothes and exposed skin, and permethrin, which kills ticks on contact, to clothes only, will help reduce the risk of tick attachment.

• Perform frequent tick checks by examining yourself, children and pets while in tick infested areas and perform a full body examination upon returning home, paying special attention to the thigh area, buttocks, trunk or areas of tight fitting clothing. It is essential to check that no ticks are found loose on your clothing before entering your home. It is suggested that you immediately wash your clothing in hot water and dry them using high heat for at least one hour to kill any ticks that you may have missed. A shower and shampoo, for yourself, may help remove unattached ticks but will not remove attached ones.   

• Be sure to thoroughly inspect your dog’s coat each time he enters your home. Lyme disease cannot be transmitted directly from your pet to you and your family but a loose tick may brush off and seek a new host, therefore, frequent inspections of your dog is essential. Your dog is also at risk for contracting the disease and should be checked regularly for attached ticks and tested for Lyme disease. Symptoms and signs in your pet are similar to those mentioned above. If left untreated, the chronic stage of Lyme disease in your pet may include lameness, kidney failure and heart problems. As with humans, if diagnosed in its early stages, pets can be treated with antibiotics.

• If a tick is found on you, your family or your pet, it MUST be removed. Do not use petroleum jelly, fingernail polish, alcohol or a hot match to remove the insect. These methods are ineffective and may cause more harm. The tick should be grasped firmly with tweezers close to the skin and pulled gently and firmly. Do not grab its bottom or crush it as the bacteria may still be transmitted if this is done. After removal of the tick, clean the area well and monitor for symptoms.

• Lyme disease, though on the rise, can be prevented. Taking these simple precautions and inspecting yourself and your loved one after enjoying the great outdoors is key in protecting them. Living in Saratoga County and near the Adirondacks offers us the beauty of the outdoors but we must remain attentive in protecting ourselves from the risks of Lyme disease. For more information on Lyme disease, visit The American Lyme Disease Foundation Web site at www.aldf.com