Many people are concerned about insect-borne diseases, but there’s a common misunderstanding about mosquitoes and Lyme disease. This article clarifies how Lyme disease is transmitted, its signs, and how to protect yourself.
Mosquitoes and Lyme Disease
Mosquitoes do not transmit Lyme disease. This illness is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Research indicates that even if found in mosquitoes, the bacteria cannot survive or be transmitted effectively. Mosquitoes carry other diseases like West Nile, Zika, Chikungunya, yellow fever, dengue, and malaria, but not Lyme disease.
The Real Culprits Behind Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is primarily transmitted through the bites of infected ticks, specifically blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis in the eastern and central U.S. and Ixodes pacificus in the western U.S.). These ticks acquire Borrelia burgdorferi by feeding on infected small mammals or birds. The bacteria reside in the tick’s gut and are transmitted to a host when the tick feeds, typically requiring over 24 hours of attachment.
Ticks undergo four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Nymphal ticks, about the size of a poppy seed, often cause human infections because they are difficult to detect and may remain attached longer. Adult ticks can also transmit the bacteria, but their larger size makes them more noticeable, leading to earlier removal.
Recognizing Lyme Disease
Early signs of Lyme disease can appear three to 30 days after a tick bite. A common symptom is a circular or oval rash, erythema migrans, which expands over several days and can sometimes resemble a bull’s-eye pattern. This rash occurs in approximately 70% to 80% of infected individuals, though it may not always be present or can appear atypically.
Other early symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches. If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress, potentially affecting joints, the nervous system, and the heart, leading to severe conditions like arthritis or facial paralysis. Seek medical attention promptly after a suspected tick bite or the appearance of symptoms for diagnosis and treatment.
Protecting Yourself from Lyme Disease
Preventing tick bites is a straightforward way to avoid Lyme disease. Stay on cleared paths and avoid tall grass, brushy areas, and leaf litter, which are common tick habitats. Ticks do not jump or fly; they attach to humans or animals that brush against vegetation.
Wearing protective clothing can reduce exposure. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks create a barrier against ticks. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks. Applying EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or permethrin on clothing and exposed skin offers additional protection.
After spending time outdoors, conduct a thorough tick check on your body, focusing on areas like the scalp, ears, armpits, groin, and behind the knees. Showering within two hours of coming indoors can wash off unattached ticks. If you find an attached tick, remove it promptly using fine-tipped tweezers, grasping it as close to the skin as possible and pulling upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick, or use methods like petroleum jelly or heat, as these can cause the tick to release more fluid into the skin.