It's that time of year again when you need to think about ticks. Deer ticks, also known as Black-legged ticks, carry Lyme Disease. Here's what you need to know about ticks and how to protect yourself.  

What is Lyme Disease? 

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria that is in infected deer ticks. Ticks get the bacteria from rodents or deer and pass it on to humans when they bite them. According to the Centers for Disease Control,  Minnesota and Wisconsin, and most of the northeastern part of the United States, have a significantly higher incidence of Lyme disease than the rest of the country. In Minnesota, the risk of a tick bite is most significant from mid-May through mid-July and late September through October. Lyme Disease affects thousands of Minnesotans each year. If untreated, it can lead to long-term health problems that affect the heart, joints, and nervous system. 

Signs and Symptoms

Many people don't know they have it because the ticks are so small they may never see them, and they may overlook a bite. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of Lyme Disease. A person may only have some of these symptoms.  

Early Onset Symptoms – Days to Weeks After Bite:  

  • Rash: a rash around the tick bite, usually appearing immediately but can be a few days after the bite with redness and bruising. An additional rash that is described as a "bull's eye" may appear early in the disease process with a red center, an area of clearing, and then a red outer ring away. This rash is found away from the initial bite and is typically found on the chest, back, arms, or legs.  Around 20% of people never get a rash. 
  • Fever, chills, headache, body aches, fatigue 
  • Muscle and joint pain, neck stiffness, and swollen lymph nodes 

Later Onset Symptoms – Days to Months After Bite:  

  • Persistent weakness and fatigue 
  • Severe joint pain and swelling (often in the knees) 
  • Bell's Palsy (temporary paralysis of one side of the face) 
  • Numbness, weakness, or tingling in limbs 
  • Irregular heartbeat leading to dizziness 
  • Inflammation of the brain and other neurological issues 

Treatment 

Lyme disease is typically treated with antibiotics, and most people recover without any long-term effects if started early in the infection process. It is essential to be seen and get on antibiotics as soon as you have signs of Lyme disease.

How to Avoid Ticks

Deer ticks are very tiny. An adult deer tick is about the size of a sesame seed. Look for a reddish-brown body and a black shield on its back.  Here are some tips to avoid them:

  • Avoid wooded and brushy areas. 
  • Wear long sleeves and pants in wooded, brushy, or tall grass areas. Wear light-colored clothes so it is easier to see them. Tuck your pants into your socks or boots and your shirt into your pants.  
  • Use insect repellent with 20% or higher concentration of DEET and permethrin to your clothes in an area known for deer ticks.  
  • Stay on the trail.  
  • Check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks, especially after being in potential tick areas. 
  • Shower and wash with a washcloth after entering potential tick areas. 
  • Ask your vet about the best way to protect your pet. 
  • Tick-proof your yard by mowing lawns and trails frequently. Remove leaves, brush piles, and stack wood in sunny, dry places to discourage tick carrying rodents.

If you suspect a deer tick has bitten your or have questions about tick bites, contact your primary care provider as soon as possible.

Marisa Zutter, DNP

Perham Health Ottertail Clinic