Lyme Facts
As we spend more time outdoors during the summer months, we often see an increase in tick bites. Here are a few facts about Lyme Disease and tick bites:
Tick Bite Facts
- Only Deer ticks spread Lyme Disease.
- Less than 5% of Deer ticks carry Lyme Disease.
- Nymph forms of the tick are most active May – July, Adults in the Fall.
- Most people with known tick bites do NOT contract Lyme Disease.
- There is almost no chance of Lyme Disease if tick present for less than 48 hours.
- It is common to get a rash from a tick bite, but it is not always the rash of Lyme disease, Erythema Chronicum Migrans (ECM).
- ECM rash is present in 80% of those with actual Lyme disease. 20% never see a rash.
- ECM rash is flat, pale red, warm, and larger than 2” diameter.
Lyme Disease Treatment
- Treatment of Lyme disease in early stage, if rash present, is almost always effective. Waiting up to 30 days to begin treatment will not reduce effectiveness of treatment.
Preventative treatment is available (one dose of antibiotic Doxycycline) for those who meet criteria:
- Confirmed Deer tick bite.
- The tick is present over 36 hours.
- The tick is not engorged
- Treatment able to begin within 72 hours of tick removal
Tick Removal
The only research-proven method to a remove tick is to grab the tick as close to skin as possible with tweezers, Pull straight up with firm and steady traction. Do NOT jerk. Do NOT crush the tick.
Test The Tick?
- Testing the tick for the presence of Lyme disease is not recommended as it offers little information and is expensive.
- Blood tests at the time of the bite are not recommended. Lyme blood tests do not turn positive until two weeks later, at the earliest. Sometimes it may take up to 30 days for a positive result.
Should you have any questions, reach out to your IMA Primary Care Provider or our IMA Urgent Care Centers are open 7 days a week.