Lyme Disease - Prevention

Researchers are currently testing vaccines against Lyme disease. Until they are approved, the best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid contact with ticks that carry Bb. Some general recommendations for people who spend time outdoors include:

• Use bug repellents containing the chemical DEET.
• Wear light-colored clothing in order to see ticks better.
• Tuck pant legs into socks or boot tops.
• Check children and oneself frequently for ticks.

Tick removal is an important step in avoiding infection. Some hints about tick removal include:

• Using tweezers, grasp the tick as near to the skin as possible.
• Pull the tick straight back steadily and slowly.
• Do not try to make the tick back out by using petroleum jelly, alcohol, or a lit match.
• Place the tick in a closed container or flush it down the toilet.
• See a doctor if any sort of rash appears three to thirty days after the tick bite.