Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. It is caused by Borrelia bacteria, which ticks acquire by feeding on infected animals before passing them to humans.
Lyme Disease in Texas
Lyme disease is present in Texas, though it is a low-incidence state compared to the northeastern and north-central United States. While many reported cases are acquired in states where the disease is more common, local transmission does occur. Between 2000 and 2020, Texas reported an average of 85 human cases per year.
The primary tick responsible for transmitting Lyme disease bacteria in Texas is the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, also known as the deer tick. Both adult and nymph stages of this tick can transmit the bacteria to humans. This tick is found across Texas, with its range potentially expanding.
Identifying Symptoms
The most recognized early sign of Lyme disease is an expanding red rash, erythema migrans, often described as a “bull’s-eye” due to its cleared center. This rash appears at the tick bite site within 3 to 30 days, though it can emerge up to 3 months later. The rash is not painful or itchy, but it may feel warm.
Not everyone with Lyme disease develops this rash, or it may not present in the classic bull’s-eye pattern. Other early symptoms, resembling the flu, can include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms can appear with or without the rash.
If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress to more serious stages, affecting various body systems. Later symptoms, which may appear weeks, months, or even years after the initial infection, can involve severe joint pain and swelling, particularly in the knees. Neurological problems such as facial paralysis, nerve pain, numbness, tingling in the limbs, severe headaches, and neck stiffness can also develop. Heart issues like palpitations or an irregular heartbeat may occur.
Proactive Prevention
Preventing tick bites is the most effective way to reduce the risk of Lyme disease. When spending time outdoors, especially in wooded, brushy, or tall grass areas, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks. Light-colored clothing can make it easier to spot ticks. Staying on marked trails and avoiding dense vegetation also helps.
Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing active ingredients like DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin. Permethrin-treated clothing and gear offer an additional layer of protection, as this substance repels or kills ticks on contact and is not applied directly to the skin. Always follow product label instructions when using repellents.
After returning indoors, perform a thorough tick check on your body, children, and pets. Ticks often hide in warm, moist areas such as behind the knees, in the groin, armpits, in and around the ears, and on the scalp. Showering within a few hours of coming inside can help wash off unattached ticks. Placing clothes in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes can kill any ticks present.
Seeking Medical Help
If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it promptly and carefully using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking. After removal, clean the bite area with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer.
Contact a healthcare provider if you suspect a tick bite, particularly if you develop symptoms like a rash, fever, headache, or muscle and joint pain within weeks of being outdoors. Early diagnosis is important, as Lyme disease is more responsive to treatment when caught in its initial stages. A doctor will evaluate your symptoms and may order blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline or amoxicillin. The duration of antibiotic treatment varies, typically lasting two to four weeks, depending on the stage of the infection and the severity of symptoms. Prompt antibiotic treatment in the early stages leads to a rapid and complete recovery.