As many of us start heading outdoors as warm weather approaches for ballgames, picnics, hikes, camping, etc., we need to be mindful of some of the risks that come with it. One that most of us would not give a thought to is Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease is contracted when you are bitten by a deer tick. Deer ticks are very tiny in size and most often undetected at the time of the bite. There are a reported 300,000 new cases each year. If untreated, this can become a very debilitating illness, not only for humans, but animals also. Lyme Disease can be very treatable with antibiotics if caught early, but can have very serious, irreversible affects if its not caught and treated. If you are among the avid outdoorsmen, please watch for any of these common symptoms:
Rash – this is the most telltale sign. It is easily identified as a bull’s eye shaped rash or looks like a target. It can form anywhere from three to 30 days after the initial bite.
Neurological Issues – memory loss, trouble focusing, depression, anxiety, emotional tantrums or total personality changes.
Meningitis – swelling of the membrane of your brain.