Cold wet weather causing increase in deer tick population in New England

According to a study conducted in Road Island deer tick population has increase due to recent cold and wet weather we have experienced in the area, causing an increase in known cases of the debilitating illness know as Lyme Disease.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Not all individuals with Lyme disease will have all symptoms, and many of the symptoms can occur with other diseases as well. It is important that you consult your health care provider for proper diagnosis.

Circular rash, this is the first sign of infection. 70-80% of infected persons will have this rash after 3-30 days of tick bite. Rash will expand for several day reaching up to 12 inch diameter, Center of rash may become clear as it enlarges, causing a bulls- eye appearance. It may be warm but usually is not painful

Some people may develop additional rashes in other areas of their body after several days

Infected individuals also expertise symptoms of fatigue, chills, fever, headache, and muscle and joint aches and swollen lymph nodes. In some cases these may be the only symptoms of the infection

Untreated, the infection may spread to other parts of the body within a short time to include symptoms of loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face, severe headaches and neck stiffness due to meningitis, shooting pains that may interfere with sleep, heart palpitations and dizziness due to changes in heartbeat

After several months untreated about 60% of people infected will begin to have intermittent bouts of arthritis, with severe joint pain and swelling, especially of the knees

5% of untreated individuals may develop chronic neurological complaints for months or years after infection, including shooting pains, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet and problems concentrating and short memory

Tips to help prevent Lyme disease

Avoid areas where ticks are found.

Ticks live in environments of wooden areas with high grass and dead leafs.

If you do enter these areas, try to stay at the center of the trail as to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush and leaf litter

Take extra precautions during May, June, July; these are the months when ticks that transmit Lyme disease are most active

Keep ticks off your skin

Use insect repellent with 20% - 30% DEET on exposed skin and clothing to prevent bites

Wear long pants, long sleeves and long socks to keep ticks off your skin. Light colored clothing will help spot ticks easier

Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and tuck shirts into pants to help keep ticks on the outside of clothing

Check daily for ticks on clothes and skin

Chances of getting Lyme disease are reduced greatly if a tick is attached to your skin for less than 24hrs so finding ticks on your body or clothing as soon as possible is of the outmost importance

Perform daily tick checks after being outdoors. Inspect all parts of your body carefully including your armpits, scalp, and groin. If a tick is found remove immediately using tweezers.

To kill ticks that you may have missed on your clothing, wash your cloths in hot water and dry using high heat for at least an hour.

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