LYME DISEASE
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What is Lyme disease
Lyme disease (Lyme Borelliosis) is a bacterial infection passed from infected ticks to humans. Ticks are small (approx. 3mm) insects that feed on animal and human blood.
Lyme disease is most commonly identified by a ‘Bullseye’ type rash on the skin (although this may not always be present)
In Ireland we find a big prevalence of infected ticks in woodland areas particularly where there are a lot of deer such as any of the woods in the Wicklow area.
Whilst deer can be infected with lyme disease they don’t really show any symptoms however ticks can be infected from these deer and then transfer it to humans.
It is crucial that the tick is removed asap as the danger really lies in the infection being allowed to develop over time.
If treated early, normally, no further problems arise
Prevention is Better than Cure
Wear light coloured clothing so you can see the ticks on your clothes
Clothing should be of a smooth material – so it is more difficult for the tick to ‘hang on’
Tuck your trousers into your socks
Apply a good quality insect repellant to any exposed skin
When you get home do a good physical examination to make sure no ticks have attached themselves to you
If you do find a tick pull it out with steady even upward pressure and wash the surrounding skin with alcohol.
Early-stage Lyme disease
The symptoms of early-stage Lyme disease develop between 3-30 days after being bitten by an infected tick.
The most common symptom of early-stage Lyme disease is the appearance of a distinctive skin rash that is known as erythema migrans.
Erythema migrans looks like a bull's eye and develops at the site of the tick bite. The skin affected by the rash will look red and feel slightly raised to the touch. The size of the rash can range from between 2-30 cm (0.7-12 inches).
Other symptoms of early-stage Lyme disease include:
fatigue,muscle pain,joint pain,headache,fever and/or chills, andneck stiffness.
Once diagnosed treatment is generally a 3 week course of antibiotics and probiotics
Lyme disease is not contagious – it cannot be passed from person to person.
For any more information come in and have a chat with our trained staff
