Treat Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a multisystem disorder caused by spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi) carried by a tick. The tick injects spirochete-laden saliva into the bloodstream or deposits fecal matter on the skin. After incubating for 3 to 32 days, the spirochetes migrates outward on the skin, causing a rash, and disseminate to other skin sites or organs through the bloodstream or lymph system. Spirochetes may survive for years in the joints or die after triggering an inflammatory response in the host.

Preventing Lyme disease:

Lyme disease can be prevented by following these guidelines:

• Avoid tick-infested areas
• Cover the skin with light-colored clothing to make ticks more visible
• Wear long sleeves and pants and tuck pant legs into socks.
• Inspect the body and scalp for attached ticks at least every 4 hours and remove. Lyme disease is less likely if the tick is removed in less than 48 hours.
• Check pets for ticks.