Tick Bites and Lyme Disease: What You Need to Know

Ticks are more than just a nuisance. They are a potential health hazard. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 475,000 Americans contract Lyme disease every year. In fact, Lyme disease is the most reported vector-borne illness in the country, with an incidence rate that nearly doubled since the 1990s.

Vector-borne diseases, which also include West Nile virus and malaria, are spread by living organisms that transmit illness-causing pathogens. Many of these conditions, including Lyme disease, are preventable. To protect yourself and those you care about, you need to know what to watch for, how to remove ticks, and the steps you can take to prevent tick bites.

Introduction to Tick Bites and Lyme Disease 

Only some species of ticks carry the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, up to 50 percent or more of ticks are infected with these bacteria. As a result, not every tick bite will make you sick, but some bites can cause huge problems. That’s why it’s so important to understand the risks associated with Lyme disease, the symptoms it causes, and the signs of other tick-borne diseases as well as ways to protect yourself. 

Overview of Ticks and Their Role in Spreading Diseases 

Ticks can potentially spread numerous diseases besides Lyme disease. Tick-borne diseases range from Lyme disease to Powassan virus to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and all are spread in a similar way — tick bites that occur during feeding:

Importance of Understanding the Link Between Tick Bites and Lyme Disease 

When you understand the link between tick bites and tick-borne diseases, you will be more prepared to watch for tick infestations and possible symptoms that occur from bites. In general, tick-borne disease symptoms begin an average of seven days after a bite, although they can emerge anytime within three to 30 days after being bitten. 

How Ticks Transmit Lyme Disease 

Ready to delve deeper into the link between tick bites and Lyme disease? Let’s explore in more detail how tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease spread.

The Life Cycle of a Tick and When They Are Most Dangerous 

Most species of ticks go through four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. After ticks hatch, they must consume at least one blood meal at each life stage in order to survive. Ticks typically get infected with pathogens early on, usually in their larval or nymph stages. As a result, Lyme disease cases typically peak in summer and fall, usually during the time nymphs are more common.

How Lyme Disease Is Transmitted from Ticks to Humans 

The spread of the disease all starts and ends with feeding. In short, Lyme disease spreads in four simple steps: 

1. Ticks feed on an infected host and ingest the disease-causing pathogens along with their blood meal. 
2. The infected tick drops off its host and continues its life cycle.
3. At the tick’s next meal, it finds its feeding spot, inserts its feeding tube, and secretes saliva that contains numbing properties to keep its host unaware of its presence.
4. While feeding, the tick can pass on the pathogens to its new host. 

Recognizing the Symptoms of Lyme Disease 

Lyme disease is caused by the spread of bacteria after a deer tick bite. In most cases, contamination occurs after the tick is attached for a minimum of 36 hours. 

Although cases of Lyme disease can occur across the United States and even worldwide, the Northeast United States serves as an epicenter, with most cases reported in this zone worldwide.

Lyme disease occurs in three stages. Stage one occurs before the bacteria spreads through your body. Stage two is marked by the beginning of the spread of the disease. By stage three, the Lyme disease-causing bacteria has spread to distant nerves and joints, causing symptoms that differ slightly between early and advanced stages. Interestingly, it’s worth noting that up to 30 percent of those who contract Lyme disease never experience the most common symptom — a rash. 

Early Symptoms to Watch For 

Some of the earliest symptoms of Lyme disease are a lot like the flu. The common rash, which often begins as a small red patch, slowly grows larger and often looks a lot like a bullseye. Other early symptoms include the following: 

• Feeling generally unwell 
• Headache 
• Fever 
• Chills 
• Joint and muscle pain 
• Stiff neck 

Advanced Symptoms of Untreated Lyme Disease 

As Lyme disease progresses, the symptoms change in nature. During stage two, you might notice weakness or paralysis in facial muscles. You might also feel lightheaded, faint, or develop a severe headache. Other advanced symptoms include: 

• Heart problems (irregular heartbeat, palpitations) 
• Meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord and brain) 
• Numbness or pain in your peripheral nerves 
• Accumulation of fluid in one or more joints 
• Shooting pains or numbness that comes and goes in your hands and feet 

Preventing Tick Bites 

Taking a proactive approach to keep ticks away can help you enjoy the great outdoors while still protecting yourself. Whether you’re spending time in the backyard or engaging in other activities, knowing how to prevent tick bites can halt Lyme disease in its tracks. 

Reducing the Risk While Outdoors 

Ticks love hiding out in wooded areas, tall grass, and brushy spots. Even taking a quick walk in your neighborhood could potentially expose you to these parasites. Ticks can be active all year, but they tend to be more so from spring through fall. 

• Treat your clothing, shoes, and any camping or hiking gear with products that contain 0.5 percent permethrin. 
• Wear long pants, long sleeves, and loose-fitting clothing. 
• Walk in the center of trails to avoid brushing up against foliage and debris. 
• Apply insect repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, including those that contain oil of lemon eucalyptus, picaridin, or DEET. 

Tick-Proofing Your Yard and Living Spaces 

You can take several approaches to reducing ticks at home. For example, consider regularly mowing the grass and keeping weeds trimmed. Adding a three-foot barrier of dry-wood mulch or gravel around the perimeter of your yard can help protect it from ticks. 

Working with professional pest control companies like USX Pest Control can help, as well. Professionals can lend their expertise in pest-proofing your home and property and keeping wildlife (on which ticks can hitch a ride) at bay.

Additionally, in the search for how to get rid of ticks, you might consider contracting professional tick control services. For example, USX Pest’s program uses a multi-step approach that includes inspecting the property and advising you on ways to reduce exposure. Technicians also make monthly follow-up visits, using environmentally safe treatments to keep the property safe throughout the season. 

Proper Tick Checks After Outdoor Activities 

Taking swift action when you head back indoors after spending time outside can make a real difference. Checking your clothing, pets, and any gear you had with you for ticks is a good starting point. It’s also wise to put clothing in the washer and dryer using the hottest settings to kill any ticks.

To perform a tick check, the CDC recommends conducting a full body check, including using a mirror as needed to check the following areas: 

• Underarms 
• Around the waist 
• Neck, scalp, and hairline 
• Inside and around your ears 
• Behind your knees
• Groin 
• Belly button 

Safely Removing a Tick If Bitten 

After performing a tick check, if you find a tick attached to your body, careful, prompt removal is essential. Removing ticks within the first 24 hours of a bite can reduce the odds of contracting Lyme disease, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine Lyme Disease Research Center. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Proper Tick Removal 

Don’t touch the tick with your bare hands. Instead, follow these steps to ensure safe, swift removal: 

1. Grab the tick as close to its mouth or head as you can. 
2. Using a firm, steady, slow motion, pull up and away from your skin without squeezing or twisting the tick. 
3. Clean your hands, the tweezers, and the bite area with soap and warm water and/or rubbing alcohol. 

What to Do After Removing the Tick 

Place live ticks in alcohol or a sealed bag to dispose of them permanently. Alternatively, you can flush them. Monitor yourself or the affected person for the next several weeks, taking care to look for any rash or other symptoms of contamination. 

Diagnosing and Treating Lyme Disease 

Only your doctor can definitively diagnose you and prescribe the proper treatments for Lyme disease. The symptoms can be vague and very similar to other common conditions like the flu.

When to Seek Medical Attention 

If you suspect you might have contracted Lyme disease, seeing a doctor as soon as possible can improve your treatment outcome. If you notice any symptoms that suggest you might have Lyme disease, see your doctor immediately. Early diagnoses and treatment can minimize the risk of developing a severe case of the disease. 

Treatment Options for Lyme Disease 

The most common antibiotics that doctors prescribe for Lyme disease include doxycycline, cefuroxime axetil, and amoxicillin. For the majority of patients, a 10- to 14-day course of the appropriate antibiotics effectively treats the illness. That said, the CDC notes that the medication and treatment length will vary, depending on your symptoms, age, and other medical conditions. 

Prevent Tick Bites to Protect Yourself from Lyme Disease 

Lyme disease affects hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. Taking preventative action to reduce ticks in your own outdoor spaces and to protect yourself after spending time outside can help minimize the danger. Knowing how to safely remove ticks and recognizing the signs of potential tick-borne illness to watch out for is equally important. These steps are key to safeguarding your health and that of the people you care about.

Consider partnering with USX Pest to keep your property free from ticks and to help reduce your exposure. Contact USX Pest today to learn more about our tick control services or to schedule a free inspection.