Minimize Your Risk Of Lyme Disease With These 3 Tips

30 seconds

If you enjoy hiking, camping or simply spending time outdoors in wooded areas, you should be aware of Lyme disease, an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium that is often found in deer ticks.

Since deer ticks tend to be prevalent in woodlands, help prevent them by:

1. Wearing protective clothing such as light-colored, long-sleeved shirts, and tuck your pants into your socks when in wooded areas.
2. Performing a “tick check” and immediately washing your body after spending time in the woods or tall grass.
3. Keeping an eye out for anything unusual on your skin, especially a rash made up of concentric rings.

If you have any symptoms such as rashes, fever or joint pain, consult a doctor who is knowledgeable about diagnosing and treating Lyme disease. The typical treatment with antibiotics is effective if begun promptly. Left untreated, about two thirds of people with Lyme disease develop recurring bouts of arthritis, sometimes years after the infection.

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