Lyme Disease Awareness Is so Important

May is Lyme Disease Awareness month, which is well timed because with the beautiful spring weather, out come the ticks! As someone with personal experience with Lyme Disease, I think it’s so important for people to be aware of common myths and to know what to do if you think you might have Lyme.

Lyme Disease is incredibly prevalent. Yet there is so much that isn’t agreed upon in the medical community around Lyme, especially if you are experiencing a chronic case, or what is sometimes called “post-Lyme Disease syndrome.” So much more research is needed around Lyme disease, and I hope there is an option for a vaccine at some point in the future. 

The disease can be different in different people but symptoms often include flu-like symptoms and muscle aches. If it moves into a chronic case, then jaw and neck pain, chronic fatigue, brain fog and headaches are all common symptoms. If you think you might be suffering from undiagnosed Lyme, please get tested. Reach out if you want local recommendations of practitioners to work with.

Here are common myths about Lyme Disease I want everyone to know aren’t true:

• You don’t have Lyme if you didn’t get the bullseye rash from a tick bite.

• You can’t get Lyme if the tick hasn’t been attached for 48 hours.

• Chronic Lyme doesn’t exist.

• If you have a negative Lyme test, you don’t have Lyme.

• A few days or a week of antibiotics will cure Lyme.

If you do have an attached tick, don’t freak out. Remove it and monitor the area for a rash and any symptoms. Antibiotics work well in many people when Lyme is caught early so it is ideal to be proactive. There are also places where you can send a tick off to be tested to see if it carries Lyme or other tick borne illness. Tick Report is one that I have used. 

Enjoy being outside, but make sure checking yourself and pets for ticks is part of your daily routine.