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FAQs
Can any tick give you Lyme disease?
No – only blacklegged ticks (also known as deer ticks) carry the bacterium that can give you Lyme disease. In the northeastern, mid-Atlantic and north-central parts of the United States, these ticks are the species Ixodes scapularis. The western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) can transmit the bacterium that causes Lyme disease on the west coast.
How can I avoid a tick bite?
If walking outdoors, wear light colored clothing – this will make it easier to see if any ticks are on your clothes. If possible, wear clothing that covers your arms and legs, and consider tucking your pant legs into your socks. If ticks land on you, this will prevent the ticks from gaining access to your skin. If you’re in the woods or on a trail, try to stay away from shrubs or long grasses. You can also use a chemical bug repellent on your clothes to help prevent ticks from landing. Whenever you are ready to go back into the house, be sure to give yourself a thorough inspection for any ticks that may have landed on you.
My dog keeps bringing ticks into the house, how can I stop this?
There are many flea and tick preventatives available for your dog, and even cats! We recommend using these year-round if you live in an endemic area. Ask your local veterinarian for more details!
Where did the name “Lyme disease” come from?
Lyme disease is named after the town in Connecticut. In the 1970s, a collection of residents in Lyme presented with many of the symptoms we now associated with Lyme disease. It wasn’t until the early 1980s that scientists understood that a bacterium transmitted by ticks was the cause of the disease.
Where do these infected ticks live?
Lyme disease occurs in the northeast and mid-Atlantic states, the midwest, and on the west coast. The following 10 states account for 90 percent of cases in the United States: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Local hot spots are present in these states due to environmental conditions such as the local deer and field mice populations. Individuals living in areas that border forests have a higher risk of contracting Lyme disease.
Why does it look like a red bulls-eye where the tick bit me?
The “red bulls-eye” is likely a rash called an erythema migrans (EM) which occurs at the site of the tick bite. The rash can expand over many days and form many rings. This is due to the spread of the Lyme disease causing bacteria in the bloodstream which can clear as it enlarges, forming a “bull’s eye” appearance.
Can I get Lyme disease more than once?
Yes, you can get Lyme disease more than once. Individuals that are treated during the early stages of the disease do not develop protective antibodies or the antibodies produced are extremely strain-specific. Thus, it is likely an individual can become infected again. However, the likelihood of another EM occurring during the same year as an episode is reduced, displaying some immunity after treatment during the early stages of Lyme. Individuals that have late-stage manifestations have more broad antibodies, and thus more protection against the bacteria.
