LYME DISEASE AND TICKS – - Part # 1
March 30, 2012 7:23 am 9 CommentsThis is the first of four blogs about Lyme disease that will be posted the next four Fridays. I will will cover ticks, their removal after a bite, where they are, the symptoms of lyme desease and how to aviod the ticks and tick proof your yard.
The basics—Ticks, and the bite
Ticks found in Northwestern Pennsylvania
Lyme disease is a serious infection caused by a type of bacteria called a spirochete (spy-ro-keet) that is transmitted by SOME deer ticks. Lyme disease cannot be transmitted directly from person to person or from animals to people. The only way you can get the disease is from the bite of a tick that carries the Lyme disease bacteria.
Who gets Lyme disease?
It can affect people of all ages. People who spend time in grassy or wooded environments are at an increased risk of exposure. Of course, the chances of a tick bite are much higher during the times of year they are more active. In Pennsylvania, this is generally from early spring to fall; however, with the mild winter and the warm spring season, this year it is starting early. However, it must be remembered that ticks are looking for warm blood all year long.
Do all deer tick bites result in Lyme disease?
No, not all deer ticks are infected with the bacteria. In fact, in Pennsylvania as a whole, it is believed that less than 25% of the ticks carry it. Ticks acquire the infection only by feeding on an infected animal. While your chances of getting Lyme disease from a bite are rather low, any tick bite is not comfortable, and should be avoided whenever possible.
Where does Lyme disease occur?
Where they are
Lyme disease is common throughout the United States and Canada. Cases of the ailment have been reported by 49 states, but the majority of reported cases come from the northeast and mid-Atlantic states. Some parts of California and the upper mid-west also show a large number of cases. The map below shows the areas of high Lyme disease reports. According to the CDC, Pennsylvania has the distinction of reporting the most Lyme disease reports in the nation for the last three years.
Does the “Tick Season” last very long?
For some reason, people believe that the ticks are only active during the spring and summer months. This is not true. Deer ticks actively seek hosts, both animal and human, whenever the temperatures are over 40◦ F. In this area of the country, the highest number of tick bites on humans occurs from May to early September. This is when the tick nymph’s search for blood meals, and when most people are outdoors. See the chart below on the life cycle of the deer tick. In the Erie area, 80% or so of all bites occur during this time period. Nevertheless, you should be aware that adult deer ticks are active in the fall, and can and do transmit the tick-borne infections almost year-round.
How do ticks move around?
The favorite mode of transportation and a quick meal for the tick is the white-footed mouse. These little guys move the ticks all over the woods, your backyard, Presque Isle, Asbury Woods and even city and county parks. This year, that fact does not bode well for people who enjoy the outdoors.
During the fall of 2010, there was a banner crop of the mouse’s main food, the acorn. That meant a large number of the little critters inhabited our yards, the woods and Presque Isle. The ticks had many free taxi rides to move them around.
It might be good to note here that ticks are not insects. They belong to the arachnid family, which means they are related to spiders and scorpions. They cannot fly, jump or drop out of the trees. This is all good for those of us who work in our yards, visit Presque Isle, or just go for a walk in the neighborhood. Ticks are parasites that latch on to an animal host. (More about this in the next blog.
In the fall of 2011, the acorn crop was very small and the mice should not be as plentiful this spring and summer, yet the ticks will be. A mild winter also contributes to an increased population of these parasites. Therefore, the ticks will need to find some other form of transportation. Hikers in the woods and fields of this area will need to be extra careful this year that they do not end up as a convenient ride for the tick. Let’s all work to see that 
we do not provide this ride and chance being infected by Lyme disease.
What does a tick bite feel like?
A tick bite does not hurt. In fact, it is most likely you will not even feel it. Ticks are tiny, and they only insert their mouthparts into the host’s skin and feed on its blood. That is why I recommend a daily tick check all spring and summer if you are outside. This is especially true if you are doing your spring yard work, and it involves bark and mulch. I know of two people who were infected by bites from ticks while they were spreading and working with mulch from a local garden supply company. In a later blog, I will cover what you can do to help protect yourself while in your own yard.
Being familiar with what nymphal and adult ticks look like and exactly how small they are, can help you succeed in finding one on you or your child. In fact, of all Lyme disease’s cases, about 70% are thought to occur around the home.
size and stages of ticks
Next week, I will cover what the disease is and what it looks like. Until then, watch out for the ticks as they just love this warm weather. See you on the park!
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9 Comments
This was a timely blog and I am anxious for the next ones. Can you suggest a good webstie for research? My son and his almost 5 year old were hiking and fishing in a state park near Pittsburgh this past weekend and came home with ticks (deer and dog). I am a wreck about it, but my son says the tick needs to be attached for 24 hours. My little granddaughter had one in her hair, others on her legs. My daughter in law said the lint catcher in their dryer was full of ticks when they washed and dried their clothes. Thank you for addressing Lyme disease and ticks in your blog!
Mary Jane,
A tick needs to be attcahed about 48 hours before you should worry. In your area, only about 25% of the ticks carry Lyme bacteria. This year will be awful for ticks. However, your own backyard is the place you will most likely pick-up thme. The up=coming blogs will expalin what to look for and what to do about ticks. Get the kids some DEET containing insect spray. It works well
Gene Ware
Spot on with this write-up, I truly assume this website needs far more consideration. I’ll most likely be once more to learn rather more, thanks for that info.
beleive it or not. i am a survivor of a large tick ,do not know how long it was in me ,home remedies removed it ,certain animals like me ,maybe that;s why it came on out,without harming me…institution where i was taken was where it was put in me,amoung other things.just want to respond to this web,i thought medicine ,that i was given was the cause of my swelling ,always played outside more than the average child my age.. aecheologist would have been a good field to pusue in college,maybe they should study ticks a little more often,everbody was waiting for it to destroy me ,just glad it did’t!
If the red cell count is low enough the dog might need to be tnuasfrsed. If the dog lives, it will make more red cells once the cause (ticks) are removed and the is dog built up nutritionally. A transfusion is used to give the dog time to make more cells. They are usually performed when the situation becomes life or death.
Tick bite Rash (circular, spreading)Musculoskeletal System Joint pain or swlnielg Joint stiffness, esp. neck / back Muscle pain or cramps Creaking, popping, cracking joints Aches or burning in palms / soles of feet Bone sensitivity, esp. the spine Shin splints Foot pain Gait disturbance Muscle weakness Sore soles (esp. AM) Clumsiness Pain or swlnielg moves to different joints Backache (unexplained) Rib soreness Fibromyalgia (general muscle pain tenderness) TendonitisNeurological System Headache persistent / severe Headache intermittent Headache migraine-like Bell’s Palsy (facial paralysis) Burning / stabbing pain (odd / shifting places) Sudden lightening-like jabsTremors / unexplained shaking Numbness in parts of body / extremities Tingling sensations (crawling skin sensation) Pinprick sensations Weakness or partial paralysis Pressure in the head Lightheadedness, wooziness, vertigo Fainting Twitching of muscles Poor balance, dizziness, difficulty walking Increased motion sickness Warm / cool sensations at various locations Abnormalities of taste or smell Constant low body temp. (below 98.6b0F) Seizure Abnormal blood flow to the brain Diminished reflexes Hearing music / sounds others can’t Visual / auditory hallucinations Odor hallucinations Restless leg syndrome (RLS)Mental Capabilities Memory loss (short or long term) Distorted memory Confusion, difficulty thinking “Brain fog” (inability to concentrate) Declining performance in school / work Forgetting how to perform simple tasks Speech difficulty (slurred/ slow/ hesitant) Trouble finding right word Drop in measurable IQ Dementia (Alzheimer’s diagnosis) Dyslexia: letter, number, word reversals Stammering, stuttering speech Disorientation, going to wrong place Becoming lost in familiar placesPsychological Well-being Mood swings, irritability Easy frustration Unusual depression Crying impulses for no reason Over-emotional reactions, crying easily Panic, anxiety attacks Aggression, rage, road rage Sleeping too much Difficulty sleeping (total insomnia) Napping during the day Ferocious nightmares Obsessive-compulsive behavior Suicidal thoughts Paranoia Disorientation (getting or feeling lost) Depersonalization (losing touch w/ reality) Bipolar disorder Other psychosis-like disorderHead, Face, Neck Stiff or painful neck Twitching of facial or other muscles Dental pain (unexplained) Painful teeth Painful gums Difficulty swallowing Hoarseness (unexplained) Drippy nose (unexplained) Pressure in head Cracks around sides of mouth Sore throat Scalp rashEyes, Vision “Floaters” Double or blurry vision Pain in eyes Sensitivity to light Conjunctivitis Pressure in eyes Flashing lights Tearing eyes Dry eyes Vision loss / BlindnessEars / Hearing Decreased hearing in one or both ears Buzzing/ clicking/ ringing in ears (tinnitus) Pain in ears with no medical cause Sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis)Digestive and Excretory System Diarrhea (unexplained) Constipation Abdominal pain, cramps Irritable bladder (trouble starting, stopping) Frequent need to urinate Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting Frequent heartburn Bloating gastroesohageal reflux (acid reflux, GERD) Weakness or partial paralysis Pressure in the head Lightheadedness, wooziness, vertigo Fainting Twitching of muscles Poor balance, dizziness, difficulty walking Increased motion sickness Warm / cool sensations at various locations Abnormalities of taste or smell Constant low body temp. (below 98.6b0F) Seizure Abnormal blood flow to the brain Diminished reflexes Hearing music / sounds others can’t Visual / auditory hallucinations Odor hallucinations Restless leg syndrome (RLS)Mental Capabilities Memory loss (short or long term) Distorted memory Confusion, difficulty thinking “Brain fog” (inability to concentrate) Declining performance in school / work Forgetting how to perform simple tasks Speech difficulty (slurred/ slow/ hesitant) Trouble finding right word Drop in measurable IQ Dementia (Alzheimer’s diagnosis) Dyslexia: letter, number, word reversals Stammering, stuttering speech Disorientation, going to wrong place Becoming lost in familiar placesPsychological Well-being Mood swings, irritability Easy frustration Unusual depression Crying impulses for no reason Over-emotional reactions, crying easily Panic, anxiety attacks Aggression, rage, road rage Sleeping too much Difficulty sleeping (total insomnia) Napping during the day Ferocious nightmares Obsessive-compulsive behavior Suicidal thoughts Paranoia DisorienDo you have some good days or bad days?If you have anymore questions, message me. And don’t be afraid. If you get treated soon then you’ll have nothing to worry abut. But make sure it’s soon. And if your results do some out negative in the test, be aware just in case. Lyme cycles and hides.Sometimes when people take the test, the lyme is hiding. It’s a 50%-50% chance. Don’t worry, though. I’m a Lyme victim. I;ve been one for awhile.
Greate post. Keep posting such kind of information on your site.
Im really impressed by your site.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on A walk on the Park.
Regards
I am constantly looking online for ideas that can help me. Thanks!
There is a Lyme petition at the following address:
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/reform-infectious-disease-society-america-treatment-guidelines-lyme-disease/Pj9jG0pX
The petition will only be up until 2/10/13, and we need 25,000 signatures for the White House to review and respond.
This is the best chance for raising Lyme awareness I have seen, so please spread the word!