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The most advanced stage of Lyme disease is called neuroborellosis. In some cases, Borrelia, a carrier of Lyme disease, travels to the brain and can cause irreversible damage to the human nervous system.
“We cannot prevent Lyme disease with absolute certainty, but it is possible to prevent it. The most important thing to know is how to behave in places where there may be many active ticks, how to avoid them. And if that does not work, it is also important not to get into panic and see a doctor in time, otherwise the disease can progress to neuroborellosis, causing serious nervous system problems, “says Aušra Bartulienė, an epidemiologist at ULAC.
The epidemiologist answers the five most frequently asked key questions of patients exposed to ticks.
1. How to ensure safety in nature or in the backyard?
Keep in mind that ticks like wet areas and twilight. The active mite is usually between 10 and 20 cm high. Therefore, if you live in a house or spend a lot of time on the farm, it is necessary to cut the grass regularly and frequently, so as not to allow it to grow more than 10 cm. This will ensure that ticks do not breed in your garden.
During the summer season, spending a lot of time in nature, and especially in the forest, makes the right clothes very important. Even if the weather is good outdoors, relaxing in nature, especially in places with lots of bushes, deciduous trees, and tall grass, requires proper clothing.
“It is necessary to wear closed clothing with long sleeves, long pants tied with shoes or socks. Choose lighter clothing because it is easier to detect a tick crawling on them. It is also important to know that open areas of the body, such as the neck and wrists should be sprayed with tick repellents, however it is important to note that these measures have short-term effects, so a single spray is certainly not enough.
When choosing repellents, it is important to pay attention to the fact that they are meant to repel ticks, because people often use preventive measures that are not designed for that at all, “explains the epidemiologist.
2. How to check if you haven’t brought new “friends” from a walk in the woods?
When you return from nature, you must first inspect the body and clothing that you have come out with. The mite is absorbed into the body in such a way that the person does not even feel it. By the way, it can suck in a place where you won’t necessarily notice it right away, like behind the ears.
“A hungry mite usually lurks in plants, waiting for a suitable victim. In the active pose, the mite lifts the first pair of legs with legs that have sensory receptors that respond to heat. Due to this and other abilities, the mite can move towards the victim. Then the mite, after having found the right place in the body, is absorbed by the skin so that it doesn’t even feel that something is wrong. Therefore, when I return home, it is necessary to inspect the body ”, warns A. Bartulienė.
The mite can suck in a place where it may not notice immediately, such as behind the ears.
It should also be remembered that some mites can be very small and can easily be mistaken for a black spot of earth or moon as they grow. Therefore, when you return home, it is advisable to shake the outer clothing well and leave it in the sun on the farm or house with a balcony, as ticks are very afraid of heat.
“When examining the body, do not hesitate and ask the help of your loved ones, so that they can inspect places that you do not see well: the neck, ears and back. Mites often hide there,” says the doctor.
Ticks do not need to be lubricated with any liquid, in any way. No need to touch and press it.
3. What to do if you find a vacuum mite?
The epidemiologist recalls that when an aspirated mite is found:
- You should withdraw as soon as possible, so if you cannot get help from the professionals quickly, you will have to do it yourself,
- ticks do not need to be lubricated with any liquid, in any way. No need to touch or press it.
- After disinfecting the simple tweezers with which the eyebrows are plucked, you can remove the mite yourself,
- Tweezers should be used to pinch the tick closer to the head, gently squeeze it, and pull it toward you.
- do not rotate the tick in any way: the faster and more accurate you pull, the better,
- After removing the mite, disinfect the area where it was soaked with soap and running water or a special liquid.
- Mark on the calendar the day you found and removed the aspirated mite, and observe the condition of that place for 30 days. If it is red, contact your doctor immediately.
4. How to recognize the first symptoms of Lyme disease?
A.Bartulienė emphasizes that not all ticks are carriers of Lyme disease, and even those that are do not always transmit it to humans. Therefore, removing the tick should not panic. Check your condition and where the mite was infested.
“The main symptom of Lyme disease is that after 5 to 7 days, one or even several red or elliptical spots with shiny edges appear on the skin (at the site of the tick infestation). Instead, the skin can be sensitive and feel warm to the touch. In a few days, the redness can spread to 5 cm in diameter and more. However, after a while, the redness may go away. That doesn’t mean it was a false signal and that you’re okay. In any case, if you notice red spots, you should consult your family doctor, “says the doctor.
In addition to redness, you can also start to experience fatigue, headaches, anxiety. These are symptoms that are difficult to associate with Lyme disease and that people often underestimate. However, severe pain can also mean a painful diagnosis.
“In later stages, Lyme disease can develop into neuroborellosis, which affects the human nervous system. The main symptom of this syndrome is pain. The location of the pain depends on which root injury predominates: lumbar, thorax, shoulder girdle. Over time, the location of the pain changes. If left untreated, the pain is initially very strong, eventually it weakens and then “spreads” elsewhere.
There are no pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications available to relieve pain caused by neuroborellosis. It intensifies more at night. Over time, the person begins to suffer other symptoms: bad mood, sleep disorders, attention problems, ability to work and appetite, loss of body weight, movement disorders, “says the specialist.
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5. Is Lyme disease very dangerous?
Lyme disease is a much more common disease than tick-borne encephalitis, and immunity is not acquired.
“Lyme disease is insidious, but when it is noticed at an early stage, it is cured. It is quite different in terms of neuroborellosis, which can have serious consequences for the rest of a person’s life. As I mentioned earlier, this type of Lyme disease has a strong effect on the nervous system, so even if you have mild symptoms, even if you are not sure, you need to see a doctor, because neuroborellosis is not always easily recognized. ” , warns the specialist.
The epidemiologist says that the disease can only be prevented if we carefully control the environment in which we spend time, observe ourselves and take care of our family members.
“We can really protect ourselves when we don’t look through our fingers and anticipate mild symptoms.” Even if you make a mistake, the reservation is not ashamed. Therefore, do not hesitate to contact specialists who will give you all the necessary help, ”advises A. Bartulienė.
“According to data from the Center for Communicable Diseases and AIDS, last year more than 3,000 people were registered in Lithuania. Cases of Lyme disease. In Europe, the second most common manifestation of this disease is also called neuroborellosis. It is considered a critical illness as it damages the human nervous system. However, we encourage you to discover how neuroborellosis can be prevented by losing your life insurance application, “says Brigita Poškuvienė, Head of Product and Risk Management at PZU Lietuva gyvybės draudimas .
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