Deer Tick Lyme-disease Bite | How to Prevent It?

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Deer tick is often associated with Lyme disease. It can spread a kind bacteria what we call as Borrelia burgdorferi that can cause Lyme disease in humans and pets. The disease can lead to mild to severe symptoms, such as skin rash (Lyme disease rash), chills, fatigue, and even problems associated with nervous system & heart if left untreated. What else you need to know about a bite of deer tick Lyme disease? And, how to prevent it?!

-- Read also about early symptoms and treatment options of Lyme disease, before continuing!

An individual who is infected need the appropriately treatment as soon as possible. The early stage of the disease is much easier to treat! With the right treatment of antibiotic, individuals with early stage of Lyme disease are more likely to get recovery more quickly & completely.

Who is at higher risk?

People who live in the areas with the high population of deer tick have higher chance of having Lyme disease. The following is a helpful ‘Lyme disease risk human map’ (released/published by the Yale School of Public Health):

Credit to AP (source: cbsnews.com)

There are 12 states in the U.S where Lyme disease is more common than areas. These areas include Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Virginia, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Maryland, and Delaware. And according to CDC -- about 90% of 30,000 cases of Lyme disease were found in these states in 2010.

Deer tick

Though the disease is relatively more common in children, but any age can be affected by Lyme disease.  Wooded & grassy environments are the place where we can get a higher chance of a tick bite. Below is a helpful image of deer ticks:

Source: University of Vermont, VT AgrAbility Project

Nymphs are the name to call ‘young deer ticks’ (the size of nymph is almost equivalent to the size of poppy seeds on average). They are usually more common to be found from May to August in the United States! Both nymphs and adult ticks can spread/transmit Lyme disease in humans.

And for adult ticks, their size on average is almost equivalent to the size of sesame seeds. Generally, they can be active any time when the ambient temperature is friendly (above freezing). But they are more likely to be most active ‘from the middle of August to November’ and ‘from March to the middle of May’.

How to prevent a bite of deer tick Lyme-disease?

The best option to prevent Lyme disease is by protecting yourself from a deer tick bite. The following are some helpful tip on how to prevent a tick bite:

1. If you live in areas where the population of deer tick is high, you need to take extra precautions in months when deer ticks are most active.
2. Your playground equipments should be placed far away from trees and yard edges.
3. Keep well the cleanliness of the ground under bird feeders.
4. In order to restrict the migration of tick, consider placing wood chips between wooded areas and lawns.
5. When you want to enjoy outdoor, you should use enclosed shoes, long socks, long sleeves, and long pants to protect your skin from a tick bite. Get easier in noticing any tick by wearing light-colored clothing.
6. For more in-depth information about the tick-infested areas, ask to a local extension service or local health department!
7. Be careful to deer, it also can spread Lyme disease into your body.
8. Don’t forget to mow the lawn!
9. Check your clothes and skin to notice any attached tick at the end of the day. If you notice an attached tick in your skin, remove it completely or see a doctor immediately if you cannot remove it! You still have a chance to prevent Lyme disease if you can remove your attached tick within the first 36 hours!
10. If you have pieces of wood, make sure you place them in dry areas and in neatly position!
11. And much better to avoid visiting wooded/grassy areas during active season of deer tick. If you need to visit these places, don’t forget to consider using the right insect repellent. Avoid also reclining on the walls or sitting on the ground.

Once you notice a tick bite, remove it as soon as possible and then see a doctor promptly -- keep monitor the site of your bite, particularly for some common symptoms that can be easier to notice, such as Lyme disease rash!
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Reference: WebMD and cbsnews.com