19
Sep 2011

The FDA’s New Sunscreen Guidelines

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After more than three decades in the works, the FDA’s new regulations on sunscreens have finally been released.

The new rules require that sunscreens are subjected to FDA tests to check that they protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Ultraviolet radiation is associated with development of 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers (which affect one in five people in the US), and 65% of melanoma cases (responsible for the death of about 8,700 people annually).

Reading The New Labels

  • Products with SPF values between 2 and 14 can be labeled as “Broad Spectrum” if they pass FDA tests to show that they protect against both UVA and UVB radiation.
  • Products can only state that they reduce the risk of premature skin aging and skin cancer if they are of SPF 15 or above.
  • The FDA feels that there is no such thing as a “waterproof” sunscreen. So the terms “waterproof” and “sweatproof” are no longer allowed. The term “water-resistant” is now used, and products must state if they work for 40 or 80 minutes. If a sunscreen is not water-resistant, it must be labeled in such a way as to advise consumers to use a water-resistant product if necessary.
  • The maximum SPF value on a label will now be “50+” since there’s not yet any proof that SPF values over 50 offer any better protection against sun damage than those with SPF 50.
  • The term “sunblock” is no longer allowed, since products don’t actually block the sun, but deflect it.

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“These changes to sunscreen labels are an important part of helping consumers have the information they need so they can choose the right sun protection for themselves and their families,” reported Janet Woodcock,  director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “All they’re going to need to do is pick an SPF number and then make sure that it’s broad spectrum.”

The new rules go into effect next year and must be on all sunblocks by the summer, but manufacturers can implement them immediately if they so choose – so you’ll find some newly-labeled products on the shelves now.

The Skin Cancer Foundation hopes that the new FDA regulations will make consumers choose sunscreens more wisely, thereby better protecting their skin from sun exposure, and ultimately reducing the rates of skin cancer.

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Some Other Sunscreen Tips
In addition to choosing a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30:

  • Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before heading outdoors
  • Apply it liberally – use at least 2 ounces (enough to fill a shot glass)
  • Reapply every two hours (more frequently if you are swimming, drying off, or sweating)
  • Always check the product expiration date

And don’t forget all the other ways you can protect yourself and reduce your risk of skin cancer.

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12
Sep 2011

Walk N’ Roll For Ataxia (Auburn, MA)

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“Ataxia” is derived from a Greek word meaning “lack of order”. Clinically, ataxia is a neurological symptom involving a lack of muscular coordination as a consequence of nervous system dysfunction.

Although it can be a non-specific symptom associated with many infections, injuries or conditions, for example, ataxia also describes a group of specific degenerative disorders of the nervous system – the hereditary and sporadic (non-hereditary) ataxias.

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It is estimated that 150,000 people in this country are affected by the hereditary or sporadic ataxias:

  • Hereditary Ataxia: This form represents a group of inherited degenerative diseases of the spinal cord, cerebellum and sometimes other regions of the nervous system. It includes disorders such as Friedreich’s ataxia, and ataxia-telangiectasia syndrome.
  • Sporadic Ataxia: This form of the condition arises spontaneously in individuals who have no known family history of ataxia.

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Age of Onset
The onset of ataxia and its symptoms can vary greatly from one case to the next, and even within the same family of affected patients. Recessively-inherited disorders, however, tend to mostly manifest first in childhood, whereas dominantly-inherited forms mostly become evident in adulthood. Some patients may not even begin to show symptoms until they are in their 60s.

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Some Common Symptoms

  • Incoordination of hands, arms and legs
  • Slurring of speech
  • Imbalance (patients may walk with feet wide apart to help balance)
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Progressive problems with activities requiring fine motor control, such as writing and eating

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Treatment
These degenerative conditions are chronic and progressive, and there is no definitive, effective drug therapy to treat the lack of coordination seen in these cases. Ancillary treatments such as physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and emotional support are helpful adjuncts, however; and drug treatments may certainly be helpful for some of the symptoms, such as muscle jerking, sleep disturbance, and depression.

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September 25th is International Ataxia Awareness Day each year, and September 18th 2011 brings the Walk N’ Roll For Ataxia in Auburn, MA. If you’re local & can volunteer for an hour or so on the day to help raise money for this rare condition, please visit the site for further information (or alternatively to see if there is a similar event in your state).

All proceeds will go to the National Ataxia Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to encourage and support research into hereditary ataxia.

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Photo Credit Morguefile

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11
Sep 2011

10 Years On: The Lingering Health Effects of 9/11

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The most recent landmark issue of the medical journal The Lancet focuses on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, and in particular some of the resultant health effects, both domestic and foreign.

 

 

A Decade On

Researchers at Mount Sinai World Trade Center Clinical Center of Excellence and Data Center have completed the first long-term study of the medical impacts on disaster responders and recovery workers who were involved at the World Trade Center site.

They evaluated over 27,000 firefighters, police officers, construction workers, and municipal workers in the 9 years following the 9/11 attacks, and found substantial and persistent health problems:

  • Physical conditions: These included sinusitis (42% of workers), lung injury (42%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (39%), and asthma (28%).
  • Mental health problems: Conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (32%), depression (28%), and panic disorder (21%) were common.

The incidence of these conditions was typically increased in workers who had higher exposure to the dust cloud at Ground Zero. Co-morbidity was also common – many workers with a physical condition also reported at least one mental health issue, and vice versa.

“Several studies have evaluated the health impacts of 9/11, but this is the first long-term study to demonstrate the lasting burden of disease experienced by the brave men and women who responded in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center,” reported Juan Wisnivesky, MD, DrPH, Vice-Chair for Research in the Department of Medicine and lead author on the study.

 

NYC’s Greatest Acute Environmental Disaster

Collapse of the World Trade Center towers following the 2001 terror attacks resulted in what has been labeled as the greatest acute environmental disaster in the history of New York City. It is estimated that maybe up to 90,000 workers and volunteers spent time helping at Ground Zero, and thus may have been affected by the dust cloud in some way.

First responders at the scene were subjected to the highest level of exposure, and suffered the most damage. They were exposed to many toxins and carcinogens that were released into the environment following collapse of the towers, with fires burning at 1,000 degrees. These included asbestos, glass fibers, lead, hydrochloric acid, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene from jet fuel, and polychlorinated biphenyls.

While the official quoted number of victims who died in the World Trade Center is 2,753, the depth of the attacks cannot be defined by mortality alone. Even now, ten years on, rescue and recovery workers suffer persistent physical and mental health issues. The results of the Mount Sinai study reinforce how important it will be to continue to monitor the rescue and recovery workers over an even longer term since many of these conditions may persist for years.

Philip Landrigan MD, Dean of Global Health and Chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine commented how “These men and women risked their lives and their health to support their fellow Americans after the devastation of 9/11. We should do everything in our power to provide the best long-term care possible to these heroes.”

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08
Sep 2011

Can You Make A Difference?

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I feel honored to have been asked to write a guest post for Cathy Miller while she is currently in San Francisco to support her teammates as they walk there as part of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day For The Cure event.  She herself will be doing the 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk For Breast Cancer in San Diego in November – amazingly her 8th walk for this cause!

So while Cathy continues to generously give so much for others, I thought it would be a great opportunity to share my thoughts on volunteerism, especially highlighting the health benefits to the volunteer!

You can follow Cathy on Twitter, and also via her business writing sites: Simply Stated Business and Simply Stated Health Care.

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06
Sep 2011

8 Simple Ways To Reduce Your Risk Of Skin Cancer

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Although the sun’s powerful ultraviolet rays are responsible for its harmful effects, including skin cancer, there are thankfully plenty of ways for you to take action and protect yourself from excessive sun exposure.

 

 

8 Simple Ways To Reduce Your Risk Of Skin Cancer

  • Stay indoors where possible to avoid unnecessary sun exposure, especially during peak hours between 10 am and 4 pm.
  • If you have to go outside, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends use of broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 (preferably at least 30), even on cloudy days, for adequate protection. The higher the SPF, the greater protection from sunburn, caused mostly by UVB rays. “Broad spectrum” sunscreen products protect against UVA and UVB rays.
  • Wear lip balm of SPF 15 or higher.
  • Seek the shade where possible outdoors, especially between 10 am and 4 pm. (Tip – If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun’s rays are strongest).
  • When in the sun, wear clothing to protect as much of your skin as possible. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants made of tightly woven fabric are most useful, and dark-colored clothing provides more protection than light-colored items. Avoid fabrics that you can see light through. A wide-brimmed hat is also especially helpful to protect the face, neck, and ears. Special clothes with UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) can also guard against sun exposure.
  • Don’t forget eye protection. Ideal sunglasses do not need to be expensive. They simply need to be able to block both UVA and UVB rays. If the label states either “UV absorption up to 400nm” or “meets ANSI UV requirements”, then the glasses block at least 99% of UV rays.
  • Add UV-protective film to the windows of your home and car (this allows in up to 80% of visible light, while blocking 99.9% of UV radiation).
  • Avoid tanning salons. (The American Academy of Dermatology opposes indoor tanning.)

 

So while we should all be able to enjoy the sunshine, it’s equally important to protect our skin from its harmful effects. It’s impossible to completely avoid sunlight (and nor should we want to!), but by following a few simple guidelines, you will be able to work and play outdoors while protecting your skin from the damaging effects of UV rays.

 

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02
Sep 2011

Respect The Sun

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We may be heading into the fall, but temperatures are still soaring in many parts of the country. And outdoor activities are still popular at this time of year in all regions, whether they involve hiking, biking, or barbecuing!

Although we used to think that soaking up the sun could only be good for us, we now know that this isn’t necessarily the case, and the dangers of ultraviolet rays are well known.

The Sun’s Rays:

The sun produces two types of rays that can penetrate the atmosphere and cause health problems associated with sun exposure:

  • Ultraviolet A (UVA) Rays: These comprise about 95% of the UV radiation that reaches the earth’s surface. Although less intense than UVB rays, their prevalence is higher and they can penetrate the skin more deeply. Their intensity is similar during daylight hours at all times of the year, and they can also penetrate glass and clouds. This is the predominant ultraviolet form that is emitted by tanning booths, and these powerful booths can emit up to 12 times the dose of UVA as the sun. Consequently it is not surprising that people using tanning booths are more likely to develop skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.
  • Ultraviolet B (UVB) Rays: These represent the main cause of reddening of the skin and sunburn due to sun exposure. The highest amount of UVB is emitted in the US between 10am and 4pm from April to October. It should be remembered, however, that UVB damage is possible all year round, especially in people at high altitudes. Surfaces such as ice or snow can also reflect the UVB rays such that they can hit the skin twice. These rays, however, do not have any significant ability to penetrate through glass.

 

What Are The Effects Of Sun Damage On Our Skin?

Both UVA and UVB can penetrate the atmosphere and contribute to various health problems, in particular:

  • Premature aging of the skin
  • Skin cancers
  • Eye conditions such as cataracts

It should be remembered that sun damage is permanent and cumulative. The short-term effects of excessive, unprotected exposure to UV rays are sunburn and tanning. Long-term exposure causes the skin to age prematurely, leading in particular to wrinkles, age spots, and skin cancer.

Skin cancer represents the most common cancer type, with more than 2 million Americans diagnosed with some form of this disease annually – more than lung, prostate, breast, pancreatic, colon, ovarian, and uterine cancers combined. The staggering number of skin cancer cases has also steadily increased over the past 30 years.

UV radiation is now recognized as a carcinogen by both the US Department of Health and Human Services, and the World Health Organization. It is considered the main cause of non-melanoma skin cancers (including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) which affect more than 250,000 Americans each year. It is also believed that UV radiation frequently plays a key role in malignant melanoma formation. This is the most deadly type of skin cancer, killing more than 8,000 Americans annually.

 

The good news, however, is that skin cancer is a largely preventable cancer, since most cases are linked to sun exposure. So as we enter the holiday weekend, and the final week of our official summer, don’t forget to respect your skin and eyes while you enjoy the sunshine outdoors. Take adequate precautions to protect yourself from the sun’s powerful rays.

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29
Aug 2011

Of Pets And Peanuts

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On Tuesday last week, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) recommended a ban on pets traveling in passenger cabins of Canadian airlines. At the CMA’s 144th annual meeting in St. John’s, Newfoundland, a resolution reading, “The Canadian Medical Association recommends a ban on all pets, except for certified service animals, traveling inside the aircraft cabin on all Canadian passenger planes” was adopted.

Several airlines have typically allowed small pets to be carried aboard planes and stowed under the seat, for a charge, in approved carriers. B.C. physician Dr Mark Sconfeld suggested that current federal regulations allowing national airlines to accept pets in cabins pose health risks to people with animal allergies: “While airlines argue that this is a great convenience for pet owners, the practice actually exposes our patients, and their passengers, to significant allergens that can make the journey very difficult – and occasionally [makes them] quite seriously ill as a result.”

Pet owners are displeased with the resolution, however, and many reacted quickly. One person who is allergic to animals rejected the proposed ban, and added: “I have worked 10 years in an emergency department and I have never seen an anaphylactic reaction to house pets.” Inevitably doctors did receive support from the public for their proposal, with many people stating that pets do belong in cargo.

On the physician front, with 93% of doctors voting in favor of the ban, those against it were naturally a minority. One doctor, who even has family members with pet allergies and peanut allergies, stated that it wasn’t the CMA’s place to be decreeing what should or should not be permitted on planes.

Air Canada and WestJet both allow small pets on board in the cabin. Air Canada did ban pets from flights in 2006, but changed the policy again in 2009, due to customer demand, and competition from WestJet which reportedly has pets on about one quarter of its flights. In light of this recent proposal by the CMA, WestJet reported that they have no plans to ban pets from their flights, saying the air filters on planes effectively screen out allergens, and that passengers can opt to take different, petless flights if they so choose.

Pet allergies are now classified as a disability by the World Health Organization, and doctors would like airlines to ban pets in the cabin in order to prevent passengers from suffering from allergy symptoms, asthma attacks, and potentially going into anaphylactic shock. An editorial in the February 16, 2010, edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, discusses the health risk to people allergic to pet dander on planes, and calls for legislation to ban carry-on pets from flights.

Apparently about 1 in 10 people have allergies to animals, and the authors of the editorial remark that, “Severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis or an exacerbation of asthma, are serious under the best of circumstances.  On an airplane, at high altitude and isolated from access to emergency medical care, the consequences can be much more dangerous.”

They discussed how airlines removed peanuts from flights when it was determined that exposure to peanut dust caused anaphylaxis in allergic passengers. In closing, they concluded that “People with allergies should be able to fly without placing their health at risk and must not be prevented from travelling for fear of being confined close to a pet.  The preferences of pet owners should not supercede the well-being of their fellow passengers.”

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25
Aug 2011

The Tiba Foundation

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The Tiba Foundation is a San Francisco-based, non-profit organization that addresses rural health issues in Kenya.

Since communities cannot thrive without quality medical care, the Tiba Foundation aims to provide healthcare solutions to people in remote areas of the country.  By creating a viable community health system, they enable people to work productively, and provide for their families – thereby helping them to succeed, instead of spending large amounts of time sick, incapacitated, and unproductive.

They partner with the Matibabu Foundation in Kenya which performs the work on the ground – building facilities, providing medical care, and managing the administration. And in addition to being loved by the local community, the organization also has the support Kenyan government.

 

Trachoma Surgery (Kenya, 2006) (Photograph Courtesy of The Tiba Foundation)

 

Then And Now
It all began in 2004, founded by Dr Gail Wagner and a small group of volunteer physicians and nurses. The group traveled to Ugenya District in Kenya, only to find no roads, no power grid, and no medical service.

The organization that Tiba supports, the Matibabu Foundation, is thriving, and has even received two prestigious grants from the US government and Columbia University. Things have certainly changed since those early days when the first volunteer group arrived in the area to find no medicines, no medical supplies, and no diagnostic capability. Today, Tiba Foundation supports the services of two out-patient clinics, and construction of their first in-patient hospital is well underway.

 

The Construction Crew: Matibabu Women's & Children's Hospital (Ukwala, Kenya, February 2011) (Photograph Courtesy of Arthur Combs, The Tiba Foundation)

 

On the ground in Kenya, the Matibabu Foundation provides a valuable community presence for all rural health initiatives within the community. They manage a network of over 500 community health workers, training them to diagnose basic medical conditions. Additionally, through coordination with clinical officers, they arrange transportation and critical care provision for patients. Training of community members in preventative health matters such as provision of clean water, use of mosquito bed nets, and HIV education is another of their important roles.

Tiba and Matibabu work together, along with Kenya’s Ministry of Health, to ensure that the Matibabu Clinic facilities are well supplied, representing some of the best stocked clinics in rural Africa. Medical diagnosis and HIV testing are rapid and affordable, and the medicines needed for diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria are available at manageable prices.   Matibabu’s onsite laboratory has gained a reputation as a center of diagnostic excellence and is relied upon by a number of regional facilities.

 

Closing In On The Distance
Transportation is a challenge in remote areas of Kenya, and it is not unusual for people to walk many miles to receive medical care. Consequently people die every day, unable to cover these large distances. Typically only the wealthy people have cars. Few people own a motorcycle, and even bicycles are a rare possession. This summer the Tiba Foundation launched a program to supply bicycles to rural healthcare workers in one of the poorest regions of Kenya, enabling them to visit at least twice the number of families per week as they can see on foot.  This concept is simple and relatively inexpensive, yet life-saving.

The new hospital will also ease the situation for many people too. In addition to providing a clean, safe environment for healthcare, it will reduce the amount of travel required by many people to obtain medical attention.

Sick people are unable to work. Economic margins in this region are slim. Consequently, accessible medical care not only saves lives, but helps to improve economic productivity and independence. Since their inception, Tiba’s healthcare investments have helped to increase primary school graduation rates, as well as making tens of thousands of people healthier and more productive in life.

The combination of the local health programs Tiba supports and Tiba’s medical volunteers now positively impacts over 100,000 lives annually. In describing the growing project, James Schaffer, one of Tiba’s Executive Directors says: “We’re passionate about building community health care in rural Kenya.  Thanks to our partnership with Matibabu Foundation, and the support of our donors, our vision of quality, accessible care in this underserved area is becoming a reality.”

 

Can You Help Tiba?
Please spread the word about this wonderful organization however you can. Join them on Facebook  and Twitter.

And if you think you can help in any way, please read more about volunteering for the Tiba Foundation.

 

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18
Aug 2011

Save A Leg, Save A Life

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Diabetes mellitus is a serious condition in which patients have high blood glucose levels due to defective insulin production or action, which leads to inadequate blood sugar control. This is a chronic, progressive disease and can lead to life threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage, and even blindness.

In the US, almost 19 million people have diabetes. It is also estimated that a further 7 million people have undiagnosed diabetes, and 79 million are prediabetic. Amazingly, the number of adults with diabetes worldwide has already doubled since 1980, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predict that as many as one third of American adults could be diabetic by 2050 if current trends continue.

 

The Diabetic Foot Ulcer

The diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) represents a marker of fatal disease, since almost 50% of people with unhealed DFUs die within 5 years. In comparison, the 5 year mortality rate for women with breast cancer is 14%.

DFUs are a major complication of diabetes, and are responsible for more hospitalizations than any other diabetic complication. They tend to be located on the ball or sides of the foot, or the underside of the big toe. Most cases of DFU result from minor trauma and structural deformity in the presence of peripheral neuropathy. Calluses and peripheral arterial disease are also underlying risk factors in the development of DFUs.

 

The Shocking Statistics

  • 12% of patients with diabetes have foot ulcers
  • 60% of all lower limb amputations occur in patients with diabetes
  • Diabetes results in the amputation of about 65,700 legs or feet each year in the US
  • 85% of these lower limb amputations in diabetics are preceded by a foot ulcer
  • 85% of amputations may be preventable if recognized earlier and treated aggressively
  • $4 billion annually could be saved with a 25% reduction in amputations


The Save A Leg, Save A Life Foundation

I recently came across the “Save A Leg, Save A Life” Foundation (SALSAL). This national, non-profit organization was founded several years ago to promote a team approach to treating wounds.

Its mission statement is: “To reduce the number of lower extremity amputations and to improve the quality of life for our fellow citizens who are afflicted with wounds and complications of diabetes and peripheral arterial disease.We will accomplish these goals by educating professionals, students and patients through advanced evidence based methods and through community outreach.”

It brings together specialists such as podiatrists, vascular surgeons and wound-care experts, aiming to encourage health professionals to act quickly to deal with underlying medical issues. For this concept to work best, primary care physicians need to see this organization as an effective resource to help their patient. Maybe a vascular surgeon needs to open up narrowed arteries first to improve blood flow, or maybe a podiatrist needs to address structural problems of the feet. Whatever the underlying issue, doctors should refer patients to the appropriate specialists before problems become too advanced to repair. After all, a delay of a few weeks can mean the difference between losing or saving a limb.

Luckily, current technology now allows for improved wound healing and limb salvage for many patients, where amputation previously was the only consideration. “Amputation should not be considered as a treatment option, but as a treatment failure” says Dr Yazan Khatib, a cardiologist and co-founder of SALSAL.

“If you have a DFU that leads to a major amputation, your risk of death in five years is greater than that of breast cancer and prostate cancer combined,” comments Dr David Schwegman, co-chair of the Atlanta chapter of SALSAL.

Local chapters of the organization exist in many regions, and these are a good way to educate other physicians on best practices, to collect data on the outcomes of treatments, and to reduce duplicative medical services

So if you, or someone you know, suffers from diabetes, visit the SALSAL website and spread the word. And don’t be afraid to mention it to your physician.

Your words could help save a limb. Wouldn’t you like to help keep someone’s feet healthy?

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13
Aug 2011

Protect Yourself Against Lyme Disease

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We’re in the middle of summer, and many of you probably enjoy taking advantage of the great outdoors at this time of year. And you’re not alone – ticks love this time of year too. They tend to emerge in the warmer weather, so between spring and fall is the peak time for occurrence of tick-transmitted diseases. So it’s important to be aware of the prevalence of tick-borne diseases in your area.

In the US and Europe, Lyme disease is the most common of these conditions, and represents an important public health concern. It was named after the town of Lyme in Connecticut, where a cluster of the first cases of the disease in this country were recognized in 1975. The disease itself is caused by the bite of a tick that is infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Most commonly in the US, the Ixodes species of deer tick is involved in transmitting the bacterium to people.

 

 

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

These ticks are especially prevalent in grassy and wooded areas, so it is important to take precautions when out and about:

 

Wear Appropriate Clothing

  • Light colors help you to recognize ticks more easily
  • Long sleeves protect the arms
  • Long pants protect the legs
  • Avoid wearing flip flops or open shoes
  • Tuck pants into socks or boots
  • Use Insect Repellent – apply to exposed areas of skin, and spray onto clothing too

 

Inspect for ticks

  • Check for attached ticks every few hours outside
  • Check again upon return home
  • Have a partner check difficult-to-see areas
  • Check pets too
  • Change clothes upon return home – shake out those you wore while outdoors

 

If You Find An Attached Tick

  • Remove immediately – use tweezers to grasp firmly near the head, and pull without squeezing
  • If mouthparts remain attached, remove using tweezers
  • Clean the area of skin affected, and apply antiseptic cream
  • If in doubt, save the tick in a small container (or between some pieces of sticky tape) in case it needs to be identified later

 

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms and signs of Lyme disease are variable because it can affect numerous body systems. Some of the more classic symptoms, however, include:

 

Early Symptoms

  • Skin rash: One of the hallmarks of the disease, affecting up to 80% of infected people, is erythema migrans. This is the classic rash that has a bull’s eye shape – a central dark red region and peripheral clear halo are surrounded by an outer red ring. It develops 3-30 days following a tick bite, and spreads with time. It should be differentiated from a rash that results after a tick bite due to an allergy to the tick’s saliva. This occurs within 72 hours of a bite, disappears with time, and is not indicative of Lyme disease.
  • Flu-like ailments: Fever, fatigue, aches, headache, and stiff neck are often reported early on in the course of disease.

 

Later Symptoms

If Lyme disease goes untreated, the bacterium can spread to other body systems. The joints and nervous system are a couple of the more common regions affected in such cases:

  • Joint pain: Untreated patients may sometimes develop joint pain, especially in the knees.
  • Neurological symptoms: Occasional patients can develop numbness or weakness of the limbs, facial paralysis, or even meningitis in severe cases.

 

It is important to remember, however, that not every tick is infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. Therefore not every tick bite leads to Lyme disease. If you do develop any concerning symptoms following a tick bite, however, seek medical advice as soon as possible – this will enable best treatment results in the event that you do have Lyme disease.

Don’t forget to check your dogs too – not only can they be bitten by ticks, but they too can develop Lyme disease. Ticks often go unrecognized on dogs due to their thick coats. So be sure to pay some extra attention to your dog after a walk, and groom him well to check for attached ticks.

And whilst the prospect of tick-borne disease shouldn’t keep you indoors all summer, it certainly pays to take preventive measures to guard against tick attachment, especially in regions where Lyme disease is prevalent.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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