How Common is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is the most common illness spread by ticks in the United States.
Roughly 300,000 to 476,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year in the U.S., and the number has been rising over the past several decades. Most cases happen in the Northeast (from Virginia to Maine), the upper Midwest (Wisconsin, Minnesota), and parts of northern California and Oregon. However, the areas where ticks carry Lyme disease are expanding.
Tick season runs primarily from late spring through summer (April to September), when young ticks called "nymphs" are most active. Nymphs are tiny – about the size of a poppy seed – which makes them easy to miss.
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. These bacteria are spread through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks (also called deer ticks). A tick usually needs to be attached to your skin for at least 36 hours before it can pass the bacteria to you. That means finding and removing ticks quickly is one of the best ways to prevent infection.
Early signs of Lyme disease include:
- A round, expanding red rash (sometimes called a "bull's-eye" rash) at the bite side
- Fever, chills, and body aches
- Headache and fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
If not treated early, Lyme disease can spread and cause more serious problems, including joint pain and swelling (especially in the knees), nerve pain, facial drooping, and heart rhythm problems.
The good news: When caught early, Lyme disease is treated effectively with antibiotics in about 90% of cases.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
Before going outdoors:
- Wear light-colored clothing so you can spot ticks more easily.
- Wear long sleeves and long pants. Tuck your pants into your socks or boots.
- Use insect repellent approved by the EPA. Good options include:
- DEET (applied to skin)
- Picaridin (applied to skin)
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (applied to skin; not for children under 3)
- Permethrin (applied to clothing and gear only - not on skin)
- Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or buy pre-treated clothing. Permethrin kills ticks on contact.
After coming indoors:
- Do a full-body tick check right away. Pay special attention to hidden areas:
- Behind the ears and along the hairline
- Armpits and belly button
- Groin and behind the knees
- Between the toes
- Check children and pets carefully as they may not notice a tick
- Shower or bathe within 2 hours of being outdoors. This helps wash off ticks that haven't attached yet and gives you a chance to check your skin.
- Dry your clothes on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks. If you need to wash them first, use hot water.
How to Remove a Tick
If you find a tick attached to your skin:
- Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers.
- Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull straight up with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk.
- Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
DO NOT try to burn the tick off or cover it with nail polish, petroleum jelly, or other substances. These methods do not work and can make things worse.
When To Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if any of the following are true:
- You were bitten by a tick that was attached for 24 hours or more (the tick looked swollen or engorged with blood).
- You develop a rash, fever, joint pain, or flu-like symptoms in the days or weeks after a tick bite.
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a single dose of the antibiotic doxycycline within 72 hours of removing a high-risk tick to help prevent Lyme disease.
Key Takeaways
- Lyme disease is very common but preventable.
- Ticks usually need to be attached for at least 36 hours to spread the bacteria, so daily tick checks are your best defense.
- Use repellent, wear protective clothing, and shower after outdoor activities.
- If you find a tick, remove it right away with tweezers.
- See your doctor promptly if you develop symptons or had a high-risk bite.
Stay safe and enjoy the outdoors!
