What is Lyme Disease

What is Lyme Disease?

Monica Nuxoll, May 2018

Lyme Disease is usually caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. In the United States it is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected blacklegged, tick also known as a deer tick.

The bacteria is transmitted through the saliva of an infected tick. With more than 200,000 cases each year in the United States, you have a greater chance of getting bit by a tick if you live near heavily grassy or wooded areas or spend time Outdoors where ticks are prevalent.

Note if a tick bites you you may notice a small, red lump at the site, this is normal reaction to the bite and does not necessarily indicate an infection the infected tick has to attach and feed for at least 36 hours to spread the bacteria.

dermnet_rf_photo_of_tick_bite

The first sign of Lyme disease is a rash it can appear anywhere from 3 days up to a month after a tick bite the average amount of time before a rash appears is around one week.

Besides a rash, early signs of Lyme disease include chills and high fever. Fatigue is another symptom. If you feel excessively tired with no apparent reason, it may be a symptom of Lyme disease.

If left untreated Lyme disease infections can lead to arthritis, shortness of breath, and irregular heartbeat.

Reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other tick-borne infections.

You and your family can take several steps to prevent and control Lyme disease. Well it is a good idea to take preventive measures against ticks year-round, be extra vigilant in warm months from April through September.

Tips to prevent and control exposure to ticks include, avoiding direct contact with ticks, avoiding wooded and Brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter, walk in the center of trails, and use a tick repellent on skin and clothing.

For best results without the use of DEET use a repellent that contains the picardian or IR3535 on exposed skin for protection that last several hours. Always follow product instructions. Parents should apply this tick repellent to their children, avoiding hands, eyes and mouth.

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535® Expedition™ Aerosol Spray SPF 28

buy now

Repels mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile Virus for 8 hours. An unscented, DEET-free insect repellent and sunscreen product. 4 oz. net wt.

IR3535 – ingredient that provides repellency against a broad range of biting insects, including mosquitoes, deer ticks, black flies, gnats, no-seeums and biting midges.

BENEFITS
• Repels mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile virus for 8 hours
• Provides effective protection against deer ticks, gnats, no-seeums, sand flies, and biting midges
• Provides SPF 28 protection
• Does not need to be washed off when returning from the outdoors
• DEET-free
• Dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic

TO USE
• Apply evenly before sun and insect exposure. An adult must apply this product to children under 10.
• Ask a doctor before using on children under 6 months of age
• For continued protection from mosquitoes, gnats, no-seeums, sand flies and biting midges, reapply after 8 hours
• For continued protection from deer ticks, reapply after 6 hours and from black flies, reapply after 3 hours
• For sunscreen protection, reapply as needed or after towel drying, swimming or sweating
• Do not exceed 4 applications per day

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Aerosol Spray

buy now

Strong and dependable repellency against mosquitoes, deer ticks, gnats, no-seeums, sand flies and biting midges. 4 oz. net wt.

Picaridin – insect repellent (alternative to DEET). It has a low odor, with a light, clean feel.

BENEFITS
• Repels a broad spectrum of biting insects (mosquitoes, deer ticks, gnats, no-seeums, sand flies and biting midges)
• Repels mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile Virus
• Repels deer ticks that may transmit Lyme Disease
• Needs to be washed off when coming in from the outdoors
• DEET-free
• Oil-free
• Dermatologist tested

TO USE
• Hold container 6 to 8 inches from skin and spray with a slow sweeping motion, liberally and evenly. Do not spray in enclosed areas. Do not apply under clothing, on cuts, wounds, freshly shaved, excessively sunburned, or irritated skin
• DO NOT APPLY DIRECTLY TO FACE
• Ask a doctor before using on children under 6 months of age
• For protection from gnats, no-seeums, sand flies and biting midges, reapply after 7 hours. For mosquitoes reapply after 6 hours. For black flies reapply after 3 hours