Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by the bites of certain ticks infected with the bacteria Borrelia Burgdorferi. Divers who enjoy spending time in certain regions of the United States need to be careful not to contract it, as it is painful and can affect your ability to dive in the future.
Ticks and Lyme Disease
If you have a dog, then you may have vaccinated him or her against Lyme disease, because this is one sickness that can spell pain and even death to a dog. What you might not know is that you can get Lyme disease just as easily as our canine companions can.
On the West Coast, the disease is spread primarily by the Black Legged Tick, and on the East Coast, it is spread mostly by Deer Ticks. These ticks can be found in forests and in fields, and in some places, they can be found in parks and on lawns. They are commonly found around freshwater lakes and throughout the coastal areas of the northeast, as well as along the Pacific Coast. They are heavily concentrated throughout the Great Lakes region, as well.
The most commonly encountered tick is the dog tick, which is about 3 to 4 millimeters in diameter; this tick does not carry Lyme disease, but it does carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, another bacterial infection caused by Rickettsia bacteria.
Deer ticks are much smaller, usually about 1 millimeter in diameter, with juveniles being only about the size of the head of a pin. These juveniles are usually responsible for transmitting the disease since they are so hard to see, and since they must normally remain attached to their victim for about 48 hours to transmit Lyme’s. Deer ticks are commonly found in areas where deer are numerous, commonly inhabiting low bushes and grasses. They transfer to people and animals that brush up against their hiding places, attaching to clothing, skin, or equipment, then finding their way to a hidden area where they attach to feed. After feeding, which can last for several days, they drop off the host, beginning the reproductive cycle over again.
While you can pick up ticks from animals, it is important to note that you cannot catch Lyme disease from an animal that has been exposed to it, nor is it transmittable from one human to another. You can’t get it from ticks walking on your skin, either, and even if you are bitten, you cannot normally get the disease unless the tick stays attached for a very long period of time.
The first indication of Lyme disease is a red rash ringing the bite, which can spread quickly, anytime between 3 and 30 days after a bite. Common areas for bites are those that are hardest for people to see themselves; the armpits, the groin area, on the back, and on the trunk. In some cases, these bites will occur on the legs. While the rash itself is not normally painful, it is sometimes accompanied by chills and fever, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, headache, or fatigue. Joint infections, brain and nerve infections, and even heart infections can show up months later, as can arthritis and swollen joints, along with meningitis or paralysis. When the lymph glands are attacked, the disease looks like mononucleosis, and when the nervous system becomes involved, the symptoms are similar to those encountered in multiple sclerosis.
Preventing and Treating Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is usually diagnosed via a blood test, but doctors tend to start treatment when the initial rash occurs, since the test sometimes shows a false negative. If not treated with oral antibiotics (usually doxycycline) at the onset, IV antibiotics are usually prescribed and permanent joint and nervous system damage can occur.
Preventing Lyme Disease is much easier than treating it. First, be cognizant that ticks can be anywhere, and wear light colored clothing so you can spot them quickly before they bite you. Tuck pantlegs into boots or socks, and wear long-sleeved tops and a hat. Use insect repellents containing DEET, if you like, and remember to spray tents and backpacks, too. You can use permethrin-containing repellent on your clothing, but you shouldn’t use it on your skin; it is effective against ticks as well.
Finally, be sure to examine yourself carefully after being outdoors in areas where ticks are common. Use a mirror or get someone else to check areas you cannot see on your own. If you do find that you have been bitten, remove the tick by pulling it out with tweezers or using a tick removal device. Monitor areas where you’ve been bitten to ensure the rash does not appear, and if it does, get to the doctor immediately. It’s better to be safe than sorry!