Many people have heard that Lyme disease is carried by ticks, so they assume that every tick is a carrier of Lyme disease. However, this is not the case. Firstly, there are only certain species of ticks that carry Lyme disease. Secondly, the tick must be infected with the bacteria which causes Lyme disease. In the US, the most common strain of bacteria is Borrelia burgdorferi.
The most common carrier of Lyme disease is the black legged tick, commonly referred to as the deer tick. It is responsible for most of the cases of Lyme disease which occur in the northeastern United States.
Lyme disease is named after the town of Lyme in Connecticut, which can be considered ground zero for the disease, which was discovered in the 1970s and has been increasing. About 300,000 new cases are reported each year, and at least 3 million people have what is termed chronic Lyme disease, long-term health issues related to the infection, even though in some cases they received the standard antibiotics to treat it.
So first, you need to know your ticks. Lyme disease in the Northeast, as far north as Maine, south to Virginia, and west to Minnesota, is caused by the black-legged tick, also referred to as the deer tick.
In the Pacific Northwest, from the San Francisco area on up to Seattle, the few reported cases of Lyme have been attributed to the Western black-legged tick.
Some cases of Lyme disease have been reported in Texas as well. These have been attributed to the Lone Star tick.
There are many other tickborne diseases apart from Lyme, so it is a good idea to learn how to identify ticks using a reliable website with good photos, such as: http://www.lymenet.org/pictures.shtml
Baby vs. Adult Ticks
It is important to learn what the tick looks like in its baby as well as adult forms. Most cases of Lyme disease are transmitted by baby ticks, commonly referred to as nymphs. This is because they are so tiny, they are difficult to say until they have latched on for some time and transmitted the disease.
A Lyme disease-carrying tick needs to attach itself for 24 to 36 hours in order to transmit the disease into the bloodstream, so spotting any tick early is key to a good outcome.
A large adult it is easier to see, especially when it becomes engorged with blood while it is feeding.
Even so, we are talking about insects that are the size of a poppy seed and a sesame seed respectively. A good magnifying glass and knowing what you are looking for can help you spot the nymphs and adults early. Check yourself and your pets regularly.
Why are Ticks So Dangerous?
Ticks are parasites that live off of the blood of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Because they suck the blood from so many varied creatures, they can easily pick up various bacteria from these animals, and pass them along to human beings and animals if they latch on and bite them.
Not every tick, or every deer tick, is a disease-carrier. Even if they are, it will usually take at least 24 hours with the tick latched on and feeding to start spreading any contagion.
That being the case, the main thing to do is to check yourself and any pets who spend time outdoors for ticks on a regular basis. Ticks can transfer themselves from your pets to you, especially if you share furniture such as a sofa or a bed. Using tick repellant and tick prevention for pets can help you prevent tick bites and all forms of tickborne diseases to keep you and your entire family safe.
