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Lyme Disease Treatment

Effective Lyme disease treatment is very important and may include a round of oral antibiotics that can last anywhere from three to four weeks or longer. Patients may also need additional care for something call post Lyme disease syndrome, or PLDS. The ailment itself is actually an infection that is caused by a specific bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. The infection is believed to be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. The illness happens frequently in the north central and northeastern parts of the United States.



The first symptom of the disease may be a rash that appears near the bite of the infected tick. Anyone who discovers and removes an embedded tick from their body should keep an eye on the area for any kind of rash or skin problem. This rash may be one of the first indicators of a need for Lyme disease treatment. The rash will not appear right away. Three to thirty days may pass before the rash is seen. A lack of rash in this area does not necessarily mean that the individual can breath a sigh of relief. While most patients will experience the rash, not all patients who contract the infection will do so. Seventy to eighty percent of sufferers will notice the rash. Beginning at the site of the tick bite, the rash will usually fan out spreading in a circular manner for several days. Reported to resemble a bullseye, the skin rash has been known to grow quite large, possibly twelve inches in diameter or more. At the center, the rash may clear up, leaving a large red circle. Some patients report rashes in other locations in the body as well.



There are a number of other symptoms that may manifest themselves. However, as with the rash, not every patient will experience all symptoms. In may cases, the symptoms that do show up may be confused with other ailments, so careful attention, as well as clear communication with a medical professional is necessary. It is very important that Lyme disease treatment begins as soon as possible. Without treatment, the infection can quickly spread to other parts of the body and cause damage. For some, the disease will clear up on its own, leaving no chronic health issues behind. However, for others who contract this infection, there may be no such happy ending. Without medical care, serious health issues may follow the patient for a long time to come.



One of the factors that can make Lyme disease treatment so difficult is the fact that some of the most serious symptoms may not show until several months after the original tick bite. These symptoms may include a facial palsy that involves a loss of control of muscles on either side of the face. Neck stiffness and extremely painful headaches may also be reported. Dizziness, heart palpitations, and joint pains will frequently be experienced. If the patient goes without Lyme disease treatment, they may begin to experience arthritis in some or all of their joints. These attacks will usually involve painful and swollen joints. The larger joints, such as the knees, will be the most likely to develop symptoms. Shooting pains along with tingling sensations in the hands and feet have been reported. Some patients may even experience a loss of short term memory.



If the illness is diagnosed early, antibiotic treatment can usually cure the infection before more serious problems can show themselves. For this reason, if a patient feels ill after a tick bite, or even after spending time in an area that is likely to be infested with ticks, they should speak to a doctor. Sharing this information can help the physician to more quickly identify a potential case of the disease and begin Lyme disease treatment in a timely manner. A small minority of patients may not respond to oral antibiotic treatment. More intensive treatments involving intravenous drugs may be in order. However, simply experiencing a tick bite does not mean that the individual will automatically contract the infection. Taking antibiotics as a purely precautionary measure is not recommended. There are also blood tests that can indicate the presence of certain antibodies that signal the onset of a Lyme disease infection. These tests can be very useful in diagnosing this disease in its later stages.



Prevention is an important part of Lyme disease treatment. There are a number of steps that families can take to minimize the risk of contracting this dangerous malady. Avoid walking through wooded and brushy areas. The time of year that presents the greatest risk are the months of May, June, and July. If it is necessary to walk through an area that is likely to be tick infested, the best approach is to try to stay in the center of the trail. Strolling through overgrown grassy areas or through leaf litter is not wise. If there is a question about traveling through a certain area, the local park service, extension agency or health department can usually supply answers on the areas that are tick infested. There are also a variety of insect repellent products that are available. Products that are at least twenty percent Deet are generally the most effective. Dressing in long sleeves and long pants and covering exposed skin with a repellent can help to ward off ticks and eliminate the need for Lyme disease treatment. It is also a good idea to tuck pant legs into boots or socks. The Bible reassures the poor and the needy that God will not forget them. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. (Psalm 9:18)

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