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How To Remove A Tick

Lyme Disease. Know what it is? How it can be cured? Part 1. By Curetalks.com

A tick must remain attached to the skin for at least 36 hours to spread Lyme disease. The best way of preventing Lyme disease is to remove a tick as soon as possible.

The blacklegged tick that spreads disease-causing bacteria resembles a tiny spider. Young ticks are around the size of a poppy seed, while adult ticks are around the size of a sesame seed. Ticks of all ages are reddish-brown.

Below are some steps for tick removal.

  • Step 1: Use fine-tipped tweezers to gently grasp the tick near its head or mouth. Avoid squeezing the tick.
  • Step 2: Using the tweezers, pull the tick carefully and steadily away from the skin. Avoid yanking or twisting the tick, as this could cause its mouthparts to remain in the skin.
  • Step 3: After removing the tick, dispose of it by putting it in some alcohol or flushing it down the toilet.
  • Step 4: Apply antiseptic to the tick bite.

Are There Alternative Treatments For Lyme Disease

There are a variety of alternative treatments aimed at patients who believe they may have Lyme disease. But the effectiveness of these treatments is not supported by scientific evidence, and in many cases they are potentially harmful.

Bismacine, also known as chromacine, is an alternative-medicine drug that some people use to treat their Lyme disease.

The Food and Drug Administration warns that people should not use this injectable product, which has reportedly caused hospitalization and at least one death. 70563-1.pdf” rel=”nofollow”> 6)

In addition, the FDA notes that bismacine contains high levels of bismuth, which can cause heart and kidney failure.

Other alternative treatments include oxygen therapy, light therapy, and a variety of nutritional or herbal supplements. But there is no evidence that these treatments are clinically effective in the treatment of Lyme disease.

Early Detection Is Key

Amid the conflicting opinions and research on Lyme disease treatment, one thing is clear: The surest way to avoid needing complex treatment programs is to get diagnosed as soon as possible after being exposed and to include testing for all relevant tick-borne pathogens. The longer Lyme disease and these other infections go unchecked, the more difficult they are to treat.

Also Check: How Do You Know If You Get Lyme Disease

Treatment For Other Forms Of Lyme Disease

People with other forms of disseminated Lyme disease may require longer courses of antibiotics or intravenous treatment with antibiotics such as ceftriaxone. For more information about treating other forms of Lyme disease, see:

The National Institutes of Health has funded several studies on the treatment of Lyme disease that show most people recover within a few weeks of completing a course of oral antibiotics when treated soon after symptom onset. In a small percentage of cases, symptoms such as fatigue and myalgia can last for more than 6 months. This condition is known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome , although it is also sometimes called chronic Lyme disease. For details on research into chronic Lyme disease and long-term treatment trials sponsored by NIH, visit the visit the National Institutes of Health Lyme Disease web siteexternal icon.

What Are The Side Effects Of Lyme Disease Treatments

107 best images about Lyme disease on Pinterest

Antibiotics, like all medications, have the potential for side effects. Any antibiotic can cause skin rashes, and if an itchy red rash develops while on antibiotics, a patient should see their physician. Sometimes symptoms worsen for the first few days on an antibiotic. This is called a Herxheimer reaction and occurs when the antibiotics start to kill the bacteria. In the first 24 to 48 hours, dead bacterial products stimulate the immune system to release inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that can cause increased fever and achiness. This should be transient and last no more than a day or two after the initiation of antibiotics.

The most common side effect of the penicillin antibiotics is diarrhea, and occasionally even serious cases caused by the bacteria Clostridium difficile. This bacterial overgrowth condition occurs because antibiotics kill the good bacteria in our gut. It can be helpful to use probiotics to restore the good bacteria and microbiome balance.

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How To Safely Remove Ticks

Wearing latex gloves can help prevent diseases from spreading. Usingtweezers or a tick-removal instrument, pull the tick out of the dog’sskin using this method.

  • Grasp the tick by the head, making sure not to grab the body pulling the body may cause bacteria and disease to be released from theparasite.
  • Pull the tick out firmly in a straight upward move. Do not twist the tweezers when removing the tick.
  • Dip the tick in rubbing alcohol, burn it in a fire or flush it down a toilet to destroy it and stop the spread of disease.
  • If the head remains in your dog’s skin you can try and get out theremaining section of the tick, but this should fall out on its own.
  • Wash the area with warm soapy water. Keep an eye on the bite area for a few days to watch for infection or inflammation.
  • Only use petroleum jelly to smother the tick so it falls out on itsown will also not work. Don’t attempt with nail polish remover or anyother chemicals.

    How We Care For Lyme Disease

    The Division of Infectious Diseases at Boston Children’s provides comprehensive care for children and adolescents with Lyme disease and other infections. Our services include consultation, evaluation, treatment, and management of long-term complications of Lyme disease.

    The commitment and compassion with which we care for all children and families is matched only by the pioneering spirit of discovery and innovation that drives us to think differently, to find answers, and to build a better tomorrow for children everywhere.

    Don’t Miss: Lyme Disease Doctor Los Angeles

    Using Antibiotics To Treat Lyme Disease

    Lyme disease is typically treated with antibiotics, although the type of antibiotic used depends on what stage of the disease you have.

    After you remove a deer tick that has been attached to you for at least 36 hours the amount of time it takes for the tick to transmit the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi there’s a 72-hour window during which your doctor may give you a single dose of the antibiotic doxycycline to prevent the development of Lyme disease. Doxycycline is prescribed to patients age 8 and older, except for pregnant women.

    If you already have stage 1 or stage 2 Lyme disease with the telltale bull’s-eye rash but no other significant symptoms, your doctor will most likely treat you with oral doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime for 14 to 21 days.

    But if you have meningitis or nerve issues from early Lyme disease, your treatment will require taking intravenous ceftriaxone for 14 days.

    Stage 3 Lyme disease is also treated with various antibiotics:

    • For Lyme disease that causes arthritis, 28 days of oral doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime is prescribed. Additional courses of antibiotics may be necessary, depending on the severity and persistence of your symptoms.
    • For Lyme disease affecting the nervous system , two to four weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone or penicillin is prescribed.

    Has Niaid Looked At Whether Infection Persists After Antibiotic Therapy

    How to Treat Late stage Lyme Disease

    Several recent studies suggest that B. burgdorferi may persist in animals after antibiotic therapy. In one study, NIAID-supported scientists found that remnants of B. burgdorferi remained in mice after antibiotic treatment. Another team of NIAID-supported investigators found that intact B. burgdorferi persist in nonhuman primates after antibiotic treatment. It was not possible to culture these bacteria and it is not clear whether they are infectious. More recent work by Hodzic et al. replicated the earlier finding of persisting DNA but non-cultivatable B. burgdorferi after antibiotic treatment using a mouse model. In 2017, scientists at the Tulane National Primate Research Centers, funded in part by an NIH research resources grant, reported evidence of persistent and metabolically active B. burgdorferi after antibiotic treatment in rhesus macaques.

    In a first-of-its-kind study for Lyme disease, NIAID-supported researchers have used live, disease-free ticks to see if Lyme disease bacteria can be detected in people who continue to experience symptoms such as fatigue or arthritis after completing antibiotic therapy). This study remains underway.

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    What Is Lyme Disease

    Lyme disease is a multisystem illness caused by infection with the microorganism, Borrelia burgdorferi, and the bodys immune response to its infection. The illness is transmitted from tick bites when the tick regurgitates the microorganism. Lyme disease is known as a vector-borne disease. Because the ticks are extremely small and their bites are painless, the biting event very often goes unnoticed.

    Prognosis is excellent and most patients recover completely if treated early.

    How Is Lyme Disease Treated

    In its early stages, Lyme disease, an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi , is most commonly treated with simple antibiotic regimens. However, at later stages, Lyme can disseminate to other parts of the body such as the brain, central nervous system, and heart and require more complex treatment programs. In addition, many of these patients are coinfected with other tick-borne pathogens, and this can affect treatment decisions. Unfortunately, diagnosing these coinfections is often very difficult and usually requires testing at a specialty laboratory that is dedicated to the detection of the ever-increasing list of pathogens associated with Lyme disease.

    Currently there is no consensus among the medical and scientific communities regarding the best treatment for late-stage and chronic Lyme and associated coinfections. Uncertainties include the need for and effectiveness of long-term antibiotics and herbal remedies. Read on to learn more about the current outlook on Lyme disease treatment.

    Disclaimer: IGeneX is a testing laboratory. IGeneX does not provide medical advice or endorse any particular Lyme disease treatment. If you have been diagnosed with Lyme, chronic Lyme, or another tick-borne infectious disease, it is important that you talk to a trusted physician or Lyme-literate doctor to come up with the best treatment plan for your condition and symptoms.

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    Stage : Late Disseminated Lyme

    Stage three of Lyme disease is also known as chronic Lyme. If Lyme is left untreated or is not treated effectively in early stages, the disease becomes chronic. Sufferers of chronic Lyme are left to treat various symptoms for life, and often find it difficult to receive proper medical care. Some doctors even doubt the existence of chronic Lyme, leaving sufferers feeling alienated. Specialized care is a must in this stage of Lyme disease. Some of the symptoms are chronic arthritis, irregular heart rhythm, brain infection, seizures, and skin ailments. Chronic Lyme has been mistaken for Alzheimers in some very prominent cases, like that of Kris Kristofferson.

    What Can I Expect Long Term If My Child Has Lyme Disease

    Can Lyme Disease Be Completely Cured?

    If Lyme disease is caught and treated early, most children will make a full recovery. Some children with Lyme disease go on to experience what’s called a post-infectious syndrome with symptoms that may include feeling fatigue, joint aches and pains, headaches, difficulty sleeping, and problems concentrating. Since the infection itself is gone by this time, doctors generally don’t prescribe antibiotics. Each child is different, but it’s not uncommon for symptoms of post-infectious syndrome to linger for months, or even years, and they can be made worse by stress or other illness. But most children do make a full recovery.

    Blacklegged, or deer, ticks are very small, so it helps to know what to look for when doing a tick check. Adults are about the size of sesame seeds and in the nymph or larva stage, they can be as tiny as a poppy seeds.

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    What Causes Lyme Disease

    Lyme disease is caused by infection with the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. In regions of the U.S. where Lyme disease is common, risk factors for getting bitten by a tick include:

    • Spending a lot of time outdoors
    • Proximity to areas between forest land and lawns, particularly if the area contains low-lying grasses or shrubs

    Ticks can also attach to pets who may bring them into the home. The pet may become infected with Lyme disease. If the tick does not attach to the pet, it can attach to a human and transmit the infection.

    Early 1st Lyme Disease Stage

    The first phase of Lyme disease is known as the early stage. If treated within the first month, the infected person can usually overcome it with a prescription antibiotic. Treatment in the first 30 days can also mean the difference between rapid recovery and a chronic condition.

    Symptoms begin three to thirty days after contracting the disease. Initial symptoms include a lack of energy, headaches and a stiff neck, fever and chills, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. These generic symptoms may be misdiagnosed, especially if the patient was unaware of the initial bite or contraction of Lyme disease.

    Some patients do not experience any symptoms initially. Less than 50 percent of those infected see an expanding, circular red bulls eye rash before seeing a doctor. The rash is medically known as erythema chronicum migrans, Latin for chronic migrating redness. It may be warm to the touch, but it does not itch and is not painful.

    The infection rash is a sign that the bacteria are multiplying in the bloodstream. The bullseye can last up to four weeks. Some people will have a solid red rash. On darker-skinned people, the rash may look like a bruise. Therefore, you need to be aware of the other early-stage symptoms.

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    Clinical Signs And Pathology

    Lyme disease in humans is usually not a life-threatening illness and one should regard the health risks it does pose with concern rather than alarm. It is most often a mild illness mimicking a summer flu, but serious problems involving the heart, joints and nervous system may develop in some individuals.

    Lyme disease in humans may progress through three stages, depending upon the individual. In stage 1, people may have any combination of the following signs and symptoms: headache, nausea, fever, spreading rash, aching joints and muscles and fatigue. These signs and symptoms may disappear altogether, or they may reoccur intermittently for several months. A characteristic red rash, called erythema migrans may appear within 3 to 32 days after a person is bitten by an infected tick. The rash is circular in shape and can attain a diameter of 2 to 20 inches. EM is not restricted to the bite site and more than one lesion may occur on the body. Up to 30% of the people who have Lyme disease do not develop EM lesions, making diagnosis more difficult.

    In stage 2 , some people may develop complications involving the heart and/or nervous system. Specific disorders may include various degrees of heart block, nervous system abnormalities such as meningitis, encephalitis, and facial paralysis , and other conditions involving peripheral nerves. Painful joints, tendons, or muscles may also be noted during this stage of the disease.

    The Cdc Estimates That There Are Up To 300000 Cases Of Confirmed And Unconfirmed Lyme Disease Infections Per Year In The United States

    How To Cure Lyme Disease

    Did you know that there are three stages of Lyme disease? Each stage happens after a particular passage of time following a bite from an infected tick. Though there are about 30,000 confirmed cases of Lyme in the U.S. each year, experts predict that most cases go unconfirmed. Lyme can be difficult to diagnose. Lyme can also lie dormant in the first two stages, only showing symptoms months or years after a tick bite.

    Read Also: How Do You Get Tested For Lyme Disease

    Is Lymes Disease Permanent

    Lyme disease is caused by infection with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Although most cases of Lyme disease can be cured with a 2- to 4-week course of oral antibiotics, patients can sometimes have symptoms of pain, fatigue, or difficulty thinking that last for more than 6 months after they finish treatment.

    Natural Cure For Lyme Disease What Happens When A Tick Bites You Out Of The Blue

    Would you believe that a single bite of a tiny organism like a tick can make you suffer from some serious symptoms that can last for a whole lifetime? Relax! Because here is everything that you need to know about the Lyme disease and the best natural cure for Lyme disease which will ease your symptoms and make you free of this illness.

    What Is Lyme Disease And What Causes Lyme Disease?

    Lyme disease is caused by a tiny insect which is commonly known as a deer tick or a black-legged tick. When an infected black-legged tick bites you, it releases a bacterium which is the original underlying cause of Lyme disease. To make it much clear, Lyme disease is not usually caused by a deer tick but you could acquire this disease if you are stung by an infected deer tick that carries a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. So, the bacteria are what causes Lyme disease.

    An interesting fact that you should be aware of is that the so-called deer tick or the black-legged tick is so tiny you can hardly notice it. The size of a tick can be compared to that of a mustard seed. You may not be able to sense the bite of this tick as it releases its saliva onto your skin before it stings you which can make your skin numb and senseless.

    You can only recognize that you are infected with Lyme disease when you begin to experience the Lyme disease symptoms which have been mentioned below, the impact of which can be definitely reduced through a natural cure for Lyme disease.

    Is Lyme Disease Curable?

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    How Is Lyme Disease Diagnosed

    In areas where the ticks that carry Lyme disease are found, when a patient comes to a doctor with probable erythema migrans , blood tests are performed to diagnose the condition, including:

    • Step 1: Enzyme immunoassay or immunofluorescence assay – Total Lyme titer or IgG and IgM titers
    • Step 2: Western blot testing only performed if step 1 test results are positive

    Other tests that may be indicated include:

    • Joint aspiration to see if there is another cause for fluid buildup on the joints
    • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis – in patients with meningitis
    • Electrocardiogram – to identify Lyme carditis or arrythmias

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