RVNA Health Source: What You Need to Know About Lyme Disease

Editor's note: we are proud to bring you a weekly feature, "RVNA Health Source", written by Theresa Santoro, CEO and President of the Ridgefield Visiting Nurses Association (RVNA). RVNA Health Source will appear on several HamletHub towns every Thursday.  

As we enjoy the summer months and spend time outdoors, it’s important to remember that summer is tick season. Lyme disease and other tick-carried illnesses such as babesiosis continue to be transmitted in Connecticut, carried by a black-legged tick, commonly known as a deer tick.

A small red bump at the site of a tick bite is usually not cause for alarm. However, within a month after the bite, if an expanding area with a red center forms (referred to as a “bulls-eye rash” or erythema migrans) along with flu-like symptoms, Lyme disease should be considered. Joint pain especially in the knees and other rashes may occur.

Not all blacklegged tick bites cause Lyme disease, and infection is unlikely unless the tick has been attached for more than 36 to 48 hours. It’s important to consult a health care provider if signs and symptoms of Lyme disease appear because treatment is more effective if begun early. Left untreated, Lyme disease can affect other parts of the body with arthritis, neurological, and cardiac symptoms.

To help prevent Lyme disease, use insect repellants containing 20-30% DEET or other substances such as picardin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.   After a day outside bathe or shower as soon as possible and conduct a full-body tick check. Parents should check their children for ticks, including in their hair and in skin folds. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing when you come indoors. When washing the clothes used outdoors, use hot water, as cold or warm water will not kill ticks.

Check out Ridgefield Lyme Disease Taskforce website for more information and local events: www.lymeconnection.org. The CDC website (www.cdc.gov ) is also a helpful resource.

Founded in 1914, RVNA is an accredited non-profit Medicare-certified home healthcare agency that also supports public health and safety, and promotes the highest quality of life. RVNA provides compassionate care to all individuals, whether young or old, through a continuum of care that encompasses health care at home and in the community. RVNA also provides home health aides and companionship through a non-medical subsidiary called HomeCare by RVNA.

Visit RVNA at www.ridgefieldvna.org