Beware! It's Spring!
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When symptoms of Lyme disease begin appearing they are treated separately mainly because the patient does not recall being bitten by a tick. Although not everyone develops a rash, light-skinned patients usually exhibit an enlarging rash. The EM (erythema migrans) rash, varies in size and shape and can vary in shades of red and purple and is often mistaken for a bruise. Some EM rashes are smooth, some are bumpy; some may itch and some may not.
The most common symptom of Lyme disease is flu-like symptoms. Since change of season colds and flu are common, people don't make the connection to Lyme disease. The symptoms are flu-like with fatigue, headache, muscle aches and fever. Sometimes they last for a few days and disappear, sometimes they return periodically. Other symptoms are neck stiffness, jaw discomfort, joint pain, swollen glands and reddening of the eyes. In later stages of the disease, the heart and central nervous system can be affected. Sometimes facial muscles are affected and drooping of an eyelid or the corner of the mouth occurs, similar to the results of a stroke.
If you live in an area frequented by any wild animals, migrating birds or reptiles you must take precautions, especially in the Spring when the nymph is out and the weather encourages more outdoor activities. Before you start the annual spring clean-up outside, spray tick-killing chemicals to your property. As an extra precaution spray the clothing you will wear outdoors with a tick repellent...one with deet as the active ingredient...before you put them on.
Although spring is a welcome relief from winter and the beauty of flowers and bright green foliage abounds.....so do the nymphal form of ticks. This is the season when people are at the greatest risk for being infected with lyme disease bacteria.
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