Lyme disease is carried by infected ticks. The ticks are infected with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, or other species of Borrelia. Typically, the tick that carries this infection is the deer tick (Ixodes dammini), but a 2007 report by Vice Director Kirby C. Stafford III, Ph.D., chief entomologist for the CDC, found a few species of ticks can carry Lyme disease. Ticks are also responsible transmitting and carrying at least 11 known diseases. The sooner a tick bite is recognized and treated, the less likely severe symptoms will develop.
Symptoms
A tick bite does not always indicate infection. If you see a tick on yourself or someone else, carefully remove the tick and try to save it. It is helpful for medical professionals recognize the species, for if not Lyme disease carriers, there are other diseases to look for. There are two types of rashes associated with tick bites. One is the red bump that can develop around the bite called a "bull's eye" lesion. Often times the tick bite is not noticed but the circular rash around the bite is. Another rash, more specific to Lyme disease will usually develop after the tick has dropped off. It is a red growing rash and is called, erythema migrans. The rash may continue to spread at a steady rate each day. If there is a persistent rash on the body for more than 24 hours, make an appointment with your doctor. The rash is rarely itchy and is usually found in creased areas of the body like the arm pits or groin. In addition to the skin being red, the rash can sometimes be warm.
Additional Symptoms
Other flu-like symptoms may also be noticed after the bite. Feelings of chills, body aches, fatigue and even headaches can be noticed. Another more common symptom is severe migrating joint pain that commonly affects the knees. This symptom is noticed if the disease goes untreated. In a few cases the bacteria may pass through the barriers into the brain and cause neurologic symptoms like swelling in the brain (meningitis) or paralysis to part of the face (Bell's palsy). It is important to get tested and treated if there is ever a question of a tick bite. Even after treatment some people continue to experience pain and symptoms.
Tick Infestation
There are not many breeds of ticks that feed off humans for the whole cycle from egg to adult. It is rare to find infestation of tick eggs in the skin. Mites more commonly burrow and nest in the skin as opposed to ticks. Many of the tick species that do stay in the skin are not the species that carry Lyme disease. If you notice yourself or your animals are often covered in tick bites, your home may be infested. Ticks like warm, dry places and will hide behind floor boards and in other small cracks around the house. It is important to thoroughly clean the house, yard and any animal sleeping shelters as well as spraying or bombing for ticks.
