BALTIMORE — May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month
Spring means warmer weather, longer days, and the unwelcome return of ticks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says infections from tick-borne diseases are steadily increasing.
These tiny, biting creatures feed on warm-blooded animals, including people, and can transmit serious illness through their bites. Those illnesses include infections, skin rashes, and Lyme disease. Lyme disease symptoms usually appear one to two weeks after a bite and include:
· “Bull’s-eye” rash (erythema migrans)
· Fever
· Muscle and joint pain
· Fatigue
Ticks usually live on tall grass and in wooded areas, but they can enter your home on pets or clothing. While it’s a good idea to take precautions year-round, you should be cautious during warmer months when ticks are most active. The CDC offers these tips to help you avoid tick bites while working or playing outside:
Wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck your pants into your socks.
Avoid sitting on the ground.
Remove and inspect your clothing after leaving a possible tick-infested area.
Put clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on your clothing.
Shower within two hours of leaving a tick-prone area to wash off ticks that may be crawling on you.
Conduct a full-body inspection of yourself, your children and your pets.
Patient First physicians are available to explain the diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and prevention of tick bites and related diseases. Please contact David Clark at 443-577-2907 or email david.clark@patientfirst.com for interviews.
Related Content
· Four Tick-Bourne Illnesses You Should Know: https://www.patientfirst.com/blog/four-tick-borne-illnesses-you-should-know.aspx?PostId=16&tabid=819
About Patient First
All Patient First Medical Centers are open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the year, including holidays. Patient First provides non-appointment urgent care for routine injuries and illnesses, as well as primary care for patients who do not have a regular physician. Each Patient First center has on-site digital x-ray, on-site laboratory, and on-site prescription drugs. Patient First currently operates medical centers in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.