Some cases of Lyme disease are easily treated with antibiotics if caught early and properly diagnosed. Unfortunately, some cases of Lyme disease are not caught early and severe, debilitating symptoms can result. Lyme disease is considered by some to be one bacteria (borrellia burgdorfer) but it is now known that multiple strains of Lyme bacteria exist and often in the very ill patient the presence of other co-infections contribute to the long term symptoms. All of these issues need to be addressed in the Lyme patient.
Consult the ILADS website for Later Signs and Symptoms, as well as Less Common Signs and Symptoms of Lyme disease.
Routinely conduct full-body tick checks on yourself and children after being outdoors.
Check your pets and all of your gear for ticks.
Avoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails.
Wear long pants tucked into your socks, long-sleeved shirts, light-colored clothing (to spot ticks), and cover your wrists and ankles.
Use repellents on exposed skin and clothing for protection that last up to several hours.
Bathe after coming indoors to wash off loose ticks that are crawling on you.
Tumble clothes in a dryer on high heat for an hour to kill remaining ticks.