Check for Ticks-It’s Lyme Time!

Saturday, I was vigorously weeding under our crepe myrtle tree when I laughingly told my husband I would need to check for ticks so I wouldn’t get Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is certainly not a disease to take lightly. The first sign is usually a reddish bulls eye rash that is often accompanied by flu like symptoms. The redness will end without treatment in about a month. The bacteria, however, is still spreading through the body and can lead to disease in the heart, joints and nervous system.

Lyme disease is spread by infected black legged ticks or deer ticks. Spring and summer are the prime seasons for Lyme disease since more people are outside in woody, brushy and grassy areas. The ticks carry a bacterium called “Borrelia burgdorferi“.

Antibiotics are generally used to treat Lyme disease.

The American Lyme Disease Foundation suggests you use “tick bite avoidance techniques” when you are in a tick known area. These techniques include spraying insect repellent containing DEET onto exposed skin and wearing long pants tucked into boots and long sleeves to protect the skin.

Ticks can be removed carefully with fine tipped tweezers. Apply an antiseptic after removing.

Check for ticks on your dogs and outside cats too! Animals can also develop symptoms of Lymes.