Provided by UVA Health
It’s summer in Virginia. That means two things: the temperatures are up, and ticks, little bugs that can carry Lyme disease, are out. In fact, local news reports show that emergency room visits related to tick bites are up this year.
“If you’re outside, you may encounter ticks that can carry many different kinds of bacteria and other disease-causing germs. One of the most common is Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease,” says Tam Ly, MD, an Infectious Disease Specialist at UVA Health. “Unfortunately, some of these ticks, including the blacklegged (deer) tick that commonly carries the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, are so small that they can be difficult to see,” she says. “The nymphs are the size of a poppy seed, and the adults are the size of a sesame seed. It’s easy to get bitten and not be aware.”
Here’s what you need to know about staying safe and seeking care for tick-related infections.
What Are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease?
In most cases, tick bites are painless. You may not know you were bitten until symptoms appear several days or weeks later.
A red, bull’s-eye rash is a hallmark sign of Lyme disease, Ly says. Other early symptoms mimic the flu, including:
- Body aches
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headaches
If these signs appear, seek care with your provider.
Without treatment, Lyme disease can progress and spread to other organs and nerves including the facial nerve causing Bell’s palsy, pain or numbness in your arms and legs, meningitis, heart inflammation and irregular heartbeats, and arthritis of the large joints.
What Is the Treatment for Lyme Disease?
To treat Lyme disease, your primary care provider may prescribe antibiotics.
Often, a physical exam to evaluate your symptoms (rash and flu-like symptoms) and risk factors may be sufficient for your provider to diagnose your condition and initiate treatment for early infection. Disseminated and late infections are usually diagnosed with bloodwork.
How Can You Prevent Tick Bites?
After being outside, prompt full-body tick checks are very important for early detection and removal of ticks. In particular, Ly suggests check:
- Around your waist
- Behind your knees
- In your groin area
- Under your arms
Showering shortly after outdoor activities also helps prevent ticks from attaching to the skin. Don’t forget to check your pets for ticks as well.
To help prevent tick bites, Ly also suggests you:
- Avoid bushes and tall grass.
- Use an EPA-approved bug repellent with DEET (20-30%).
- Wear long sleeves and long pants.
- Tuck your pants into your socks.
- Wear clothes made with the insecticide permethrin.
- Wear light-colored clothes that make it easier to see ticks.
How Can You Remove a Tick Safely?
To remove a tick, follow these steps:
1. Use tweezers to grab the tick as close to the head as possible.
2. Pull straight up. Do not twist.
3. Carefully wash and sanitize the bite area.
Tick-Related Infections at UVA Health
Please keep in mind the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease while you enjoy the rest of the summer and seek medical attention if you exhibit symptoms.
