Lyme Disease Alert

Introduction

Individuals with lymphedema are particularly susceptible to infections and it is essential that they be on the alert for earliest signs of Lyme disease which is now a threat in all of the US states.

What is Lyme Disease and What Causes It

A type of deer tick.

Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease that is spread through a tick bite that transmits the spirochete bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi which causes the disease.

This pathogen is commonly spread by ticks found on the herds of wild deer that now roam many neighborhoods. Another common threat is from household pets with tics on them.

Some of these ticks are too small to be seen. Others are larger and are quite visible when they are engorged with blood after biting a human. With this bite, the tick passes the organism that causes Lyme disease into the bloodstream and lymphatic system of the human.

Symptoms and Stages

Bull's eye rash of Lyme Disease.

The most easily recognized symptoms include either a flat or raised lesions in the area of the tick bite which has the potential to range from 1 to 3 inches in diameter. The lesion often has a white center and red streak like rims or a clear center with redness around it.

Additional symptoms of Lyme disease are similar to those of many autoimmune or neurological diseases. These include muscle pain, fever, lethargy, headache, stiff neck, joint inflammation, itching, or unusual behaviors.

What to Do If You May Have Been Bitten

If you suspect you’ve been bitten by a tick, seek medical treatment immediately! Do not wait for any of the more serious symptoms to develop. Be certain to mention to your physician that you have lymphedema.

A blood test is an early detector of the condition and a physical examination may show signs of more advanced cases.

If diagnosed in the early stages, Lyme disease can often be cured with antibiotics. However without prompt treatment, complications involving the joints, heart, and nervous system can occur. If the disease has progressed, intravenous antibiotics may be necessary.

Lyme disease has three stages and it is very important to stop the disease before it progresses. Since this disease is transmitted through the lymphatic system, a bite in one body part could spread to a limb that is affected with lymphedema.

References

[1] Bratton RL, Whiteside JW, Hovan MJ, Engle RL, Edwards FD. “Diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.” Mayo Clinic Proc. 2008;83:566-571.

[2] Clark RP, Hu LT. “Prevention of Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2008;22:381-396.

© LymphNotes.com 2010.This information does not replace the advice of a qualified health care professional.

Category: Lymphedema and Other Conditions Updated: 2010-05-04