Lyme Disease
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Beware of the vampires! No, not that kind. These are hard to see and can give you Lyme disease. Ticks, especially the tiny nymphs, can attach to any part of the body. They generally need 36-48 hours to feed on your blood and can leave you with a parting gift ─ a red, expanding, rash! The rash won't hurt or itch but it can come with fatigue, chills, fever, and body aches. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics. If you've been bitten by a tick, or have been in areas where ticks are common, and have an unexplained fever or rash, see your health care provider.
Quiz
Key Facts
- Symptoms of Lyme disease begin 3-30 days after a tick bite; average 7 days.
- Of people who get Lyme disease, 70 to 80% develop a rash, called an erythema migrans.
- The ticks that transmit Lyme disease can sometimes cause other diseases, too.
- Only blacklegged ticks transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
Media
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A grouping of numerous Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, the organism responsible for causing Lyme disease.
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This photograph depicts the pattern of a "bull’s-eye" rash, which appeared at the site of a tick bite on this Maryland woman’s right upper arm. The woman has Lyme disease.
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Use repellents that contain 20% or more DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) on the exposed skin for protection that lasts up to several hours.
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If you find a tick attached to your skin, there’s no need to panic. There are several tick removal devices on the market, but a plain set of fine-tipped tweezers will remove a tick quite effectively.
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While it is a good idea to take preventive measures against ticks year-round, be extra vigilant in warmer months (April-September) when ticks are most active.
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Ticks can attach to any part of the human body but are often found in hard-to-see areas such as the groin, armpits, and scalp.
Prevention Tips
- Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
- Walk in the center of trails.
- Use repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin for protection that lasts several hours.
- Check daily for ticks.
- Take a shower soon after coming in from outdoors.
- Carefully examine gear, pets, coats, and day packs. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors.
- Call your doctor if you get a fever or rash.
- Page last reviewed: May 3, 2017
- Page last updated: May 3, 2017
- Content source:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Page maintained by: Office of Associate Director of Communication, Division of Public Affairs