The little things in life can bring us a lot of joy...and a lot of misery. Today, I feel compelled to warn about the nasty little things of springtime...specifically, ticks.
Ticks can carry a number of diseases. One of the most common diseases associated with ticks is Lyme Disease. And let me tell you, folks...Lyme Disease ain't no picnic! Thanks to a tick bite late last spring, I spent last summer on a combination of steroids and antibiotics for months trying to battle the rash, joint pain, fevers, and general yuckiness. To make matters worse, I felt like a hypochondriac until my blood tests finally confirmed the Lyme Disease. Here are a few things I've learned about Lyme Disease:
*We've all heard about the bullseye rash associated with Lyme Disease. Truth is, the bullseye rash only presents in 40% of actual cases. My rash was sporadic and everywhere.
*Lyme Disease can present itself like influenza, with body aches and fever.
*Lyme Disease can remain present in your system for quite a while, and blood tests cannot determine when you contracted it or how long you've had it.
*There are a lot of doctors out there who are not Lyme literate...they haven't done the research, and don't know what they're dealing with. I was lucky to find a new doctor who treated me as if I had it before tests even confirmed it.
Needless to say, I am very vigilant about the ticks this season. I began applying the anti-tick medication to my lab, Maggie, on April 1st (I'm no fool!). She'll get regular treatments on the first of every month. I am also avoiding the heavily wooded area of our property where the deer are free to roam. Later today, I'm going to invest in a big can of Deep Woods Off...yes, the DEET is nasty stuff, but it's also the only thing that repels ticks.
Stay healthy and safe this season, everyone!
Comments