Skin Savvy Sping/Summer 2011
Late spring into early summer in Pennsylvania means the return of idyllic picnics, hikes and barbecues, as well as, unfortunately, the height of tick season. Although most people who are bitten by a "normal" tick won't get sick, bites from an infected tick can cause Lyme disease, a potentially serious bacterial infection.
What Causes Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease "season" generally starts in April, with most activity in the summer months. The disease is transmitted to humans from a very tiny, blacklegged tick, also known as a "deer" tick since, in its adult form, it often lives on deer. Most human bites occur when the tick is in its nymph stage before adulthood, when it's not much bigger than a fleck of black pepper and therefore difficult to detect.
According to Pennsylvania government information, approximately 20% of all blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. These ticks act as "vectors" – organisms that transport infection from one host to another by feeding on an infected animal's blood. The tick bites an infected bird or small animal and takes the bacteria into its own body. It then feeds again and transmits the disease to its "host" – which can be human.
Background
The disease received its current name in 1975 after 50 cases of pediatric arthritis appeared mysteriously in the town of Lyme, Connecticut. Statistically, the number of cases in Pennsylvania keeps increasing. In fact, Pennsylvania ranks as one of the top states in the U.S for reported cases.
"What's even more disturbing is that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that nine out of every 10 cases is left unreported, which means that we could be talking about 80,000 cases here based on the 8,000 actual reported cases from '09," notes Dr. Hostetler.
Diagnosis
Ticks must be attached 24-48 hours before they transmit the disease. Early signs of infection appear 1-2 weeks after exposure in approximately 75%- 90% of patients. They'll exhibit either a circular, reddish "bulls-eye"-looking lesion that's ½" up to two feet in diameter, or a solid red blotch. Other symptoms can include fever, headache, fatigue and muscle aches.
"If you spot a tick of any size, use tweezers to gently grab the tick by the head or mouthparts as close as possible to where it's attached to skin," advises Dr. Hostetler. "Then disinfect the area and watch the site over the next week or so for signs of rash."
Treatment
Treatment chiefly consists of a round of oral antibiotics for 3-4 weeks, which usually will provide a full cure if begun within three weeks after exposure. If left untreated, the infection can enter the bloodstream and cause a variety of medical issues months or even years later including memory loss, arthritis and heart problems.
"The bulls-eye rash is the easiest indicator that it's Lyme disease," explains Dr. Hostetler. "We find that blood tests may be unreliable and can show false negative results if measured early on after exposure."
Dr. Hostetler advises campers, golfers, or anybody who spends a lot of time outdoors for work or recreation to try to be extra vigilant. She suggests the following anti-tick tactics:
- Stay on paths – avoid high grass or heavily-wooded areas when possible
- Use an insect repellant with DEET
- Avoid sitting directly on the ground or on stone walls where ticks flourish
- Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and tuck long pants into socks
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