Post by MK-M-GOBL on Aug 28, 2009 15:17:32 GMT
I was on another forum and came across some great information that a member (CAPTJJ) posted. I PM him and got permission to copy and paste it on NHW&W to help inform our members about Lyme disease. So here it is and I hope that someone finds it helpful and can keeps us all enjoying the outdoors 
It's a good idea for everyone that spends time outdoors to keep an eye out for ticks during the warm weather seasons. Lyme disease can be very disabling if left untreated, I know as I had it about 10 years ago for 2 years. I had to fight with a couple different doctors about what I had, finally found a good doctor, but even he admitted I knew more about the disease than he did. My symptoms returned about three weeks ago, which often happens if you don't get treatment with antibiotics soon after exposure; have an appointment with my specialist this week.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread to humans by a couple species of ticks. Not all ticks can carry the disease; black-legged ticks are one of the main carriers, especially in the northeast where I live:
Larger dog ticks do not carry LD:
One of the first symptoms to appear is the bulls eye rash that forms at the site you are bitten, not everyone that gets the disease ends up with this but if you do be sure to see your doctor immediately. I was bitten on my upper back, had the rash, but didn't think anything of it.
Mine looked like this:
This rash went away, then reappeared all over my upper body. I didn't think much of it, it also went away. A month later i came down with what seemed like a really bad flu. This time I went to a doctor, but was told Lyme disease wasn't in our area; I later found out this was untrue.
Others have the classic bulls eye:
It is probably a good idea to see you doctor if you find an embedded tick on you, especially if you live in an area where the disease is known to be present. You can also save the tick and have it tested. Some doctors will prescribe antibiotics as a preventative. I want to add that there is no test that can rule out Lyme disease; a positive test result will verify that you have Lyme disease, but a negative should not be used to rule it out, especially if you are showing the symptoms which can vary greatly from person to person. I still haven't tested positive, was retested last week; but I have shown the classic Lyme symptoms and they haven't found anything else wrong with me.
Lyme disease risk areas:
There is still a lot that is not known about Lyme disease, but they have learned a lot since I was first infected. There is a great deal of info on the web. Feel free to ask any questions, and like I said don't be afraid to see your doctor; the disease is easily treated with antibiotics if caught early, but can be difficult if left untreated. Remove a tick from your shin as soon as you notice it. Use fine-tipped tweezers to firmly grasp the tick very close to your shin. With a steady motion, pull the tick’s body away from your skin. Then clean your skin with soap and warm water. Throw the dead tick away in your household trash. Avoid crushing the tick’s body. Do not be alarmed if the tick’s mouthparts remain in the skin. Once the mouthparts are removed from the rest of the tick, it can no longer transmit the Lyme disease bacteria. If you accidentally crush the tick, clean your skin with soap and warm water or alcohol.
Don’t use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish or other products to remover a tick.
It's a good idea for everyone that spends time outdoors to keep an eye out for ticks during the warm weather seasons. Lyme disease can be very disabling if left untreated, I know as I had it about 10 years ago for 2 years. I had to fight with a couple different doctors about what I had, finally found a good doctor, but even he admitted I knew more about the disease than he did. My symptoms returned about three weeks ago, which often happens if you don't get treatment with antibiotics soon after exposure; have an appointment with my specialist this week.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread to humans by a couple species of ticks. Not all ticks can carry the disease; black-legged ticks are one of the main carriers, especially in the northeast where I live:
Larger dog ticks do not carry LD:
One of the first symptoms to appear is the bulls eye rash that forms at the site you are bitten, not everyone that gets the disease ends up with this but if you do be sure to see your doctor immediately. I was bitten on my upper back, had the rash, but didn't think anything of it.
Mine looked like this:
This rash went away, then reappeared all over my upper body. I didn't think much of it, it also went away. A month later i came down with what seemed like a really bad flu. This time I went to a doctor, but was told Lyme disease wasn't in our area; I later found out this was untrue.
Others have the classic bulls eye:
It is probably a good idea to see you doctor if you find an embedded tick on you, especially if you live in an area where the disease is known to be present. You can also save the tick and have it tested. Some doctors will prescribe antibiotics as a preventative. I want to add that there is no test that can rule out Lyme disease; a positive test result will verify that you have Lyme disease, but a negative should not be used to rule it out, especially if you are showing the symptoms which can vary greatly from person to person. I still haven't tested positive, was retested last week; but I have shown the classic Lyme symptoms and they haven't found anything else wrong with me.
Lyme disease risk areas:
There is still a lot that is not known about Lyme disease, but they have learned a lot since I was first infected. There is a great deal of info on the web. Feel free to ask any questions, and like I said don't be afraid to see your doctor; the disease is easily treated with antibiotics if caught early, but can be difficult if left untreated. Remove a tick from your shin as soon as you notice it. Use fine-tipped tweezers to firmly grasp the tick very close to your shin. With a steady motion, pull the tick’s body away from your skin. Then clean your skin with soap and warm water. Throw the dead tick away in your household trash. Avoid crushing the tick’s body. Do not be alarmed if the tick’s mouthparts remain in the skin. Once the mouthparts are removed from the rest of the tick, it can no longer transmit the Lyme disease bacteria. If you accidentally crush the tick, clean your skin with soap and warm water or alcohol.
Don’t use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish or other products to remover a tick.
