 
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness
that causes signs and symptoms ranging from rash and flu-like
fever and body aches to more serious ones including joint
swelling, weakness, fatigue and temporary paralysis. Lyme
disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Deer
ticks, which feed on the blood of animals and humans, can harbor
and spread the disease when feeding on a host.
The number of cases of the disease in an
area depends on the amount of ticks in an area and how often the
ticks are infected with the bacteria. In certain areas of New
York, where Lyme disease is common, over half of the ticks are
infected. Lyme disease has been reported most often in the
Northeastern United States, but has been reported in all 50
states as well as China, Europe, Japan, Australia and the parts
of the former Soviet Union. In the United States, it is
primarily contracted in the Northeast from the state of Maine to
Maryland, in the Midwest in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and in the
West in Oregon and Northern California.
Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks attaching to the body, it
is important to use tick bite avoidance techniques when visiting
known tick areas. Insect repellant spray containing
DEET onto exposed skin can help. Wearing long
clothing can protect the skin. Clothing, children and pets
should be examined for ticks. Ticks can be removed gently with
tweezers and saved in a jar for later identification. Bathing
the skin and scalp, and washing clothing upon returning home
might prevent the bite and transmission of the disease.
The number of cases of Lyme disease has doubled in the United
States since 1991 and these numbers are probably underestimated.
The northeastern
states had the most cases, with 2,335 cases reported in
Massachusetts in 2005, 3,363 in New Jersey, 5,565 in New York,
and 4,287 in Pennsylvania.
- Lyme disease is a bacterial illness that is
spread by tick bites.
- Lyme disease can affect the skin, joints,
heart, and the nervous system.
- Lyme disease occurs in phases, the early
phase beginning at the site of the tick bite with an expanding
ring of redness.
- Lyme disease is diagnosed based on the
patient's clinical signs of illness and the detection of Lyme
antibodies in the blood.
- Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics.
Everglades OUTDOORS
This Protective Clothing Treatment uses Permethrin the only
substance known to effectively repel ticks as well as the
biting insects including chiggers. This product was
developed for use and approved by the United States
military. Each 6oz kit contains enough solution to treat one
set of clothing and a full bed-netting and lasts through six
washings. This odorless, non-staing application is great for
hunters, campers, hikers and other outdoors enthusiasts! Kit
contains: ziplock treatment bag, 6oz. bottle of Premethrin
solution, waterproof gloves. Safe for children.
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