Preventing Lyme Disease in Loudoun County, Virginia

Lyme Disease is at epidemic levels in Loudoun County, Virginia. There are steps we can take to reduce our likelihood of contracting this debilitating disease. With so many of our friends, neighbors, and animals being infected by the extremely prevalent deer tick in our area, citizens of Loudoun should be extra cautious, above and beyond what many people do to prevent the disease.

Common Symptoms of Lyme Disease

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the symptoms of Lyme Disease are varied and include "fatigue, chills, fever, headache, and muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes". As the disease progresses, infected individuals may experience changes in facial muscle tone, migraines, meningitis, joint pain, lightheadedness, and pulse changes. If left untreated, individuals usually suffer recurring neurological health problems.

Detecting Lyme Disease Before You Go To The Doctor

Humans contract the disease-causing bacteria through the bite of the deer tick. Fortunately for us, the deer tick is the rarest tick in the United States. However, due to increasing deer populations, it is also one of the most mobile. It takes just under a day and a half for the deer tick to transmit Lyme Disease to a human (LoudounExtra.com). In this time, a round rash typically develops around the site of the bite. Most people know to look for a "bull's-eye" rash; however, the rash may not develop a ring, or may not form at all.

However, this time delay between when the tick bites and when infection occurs gives us an opportunity to perform a thorough search of our persons before the bacteria takes hold. If you find a tick, don't try to squish it before removing it. Contrary to popular knowledge, it is recommended to use tweezers (rather than a match) to remove ticks (EMedTV.com).

If you find a tick and don't know how long it's been on your person, or likewise if you find a round rash, see a doctor immediately. if caught early, antibiotics can knock out Lyme Disease before harsher symptoms appear. The longer after infection the disease is discovered, the longer effective treatment will take to complete.

Preventing Lyme Disease Before the Bite

When working or recreating outside near or in wooded, dense or grassy areas, wear long sleeves, long pants and tube socks (LoudounExtra.com). Tuck in your shirt and tuck your pants into your socks. Tie back long hair, and wear a hat. Apply a repellant containing Deet (WTOPnews.com).

Keeping Deer Ticks Off your Property

As any citizen of Loudoun knows, there is practically no way to keep deer off your property beyond the installation of a very expensive fence. The best course, therefore, is to make your property inhospitable to deer and especially deer ticks.

According to Leesburg Today, creating sunny and dry spaces around your home can discourage ticks. If you have a wooded region, consider installing an unshaded gravel border. In late spring, apply the insecticide permethrin to your lawn to ward off ticks. Keep plants preferred by deer away from your lawn and your house, reserving them for parts of the yard rarely traveled by people and house pets.

Sources:

Erica Garman, "Living in LoCo: Tick, Tick, Tick: Lyme Disease in Loudoun." WashingtonPost.com's LoudounExtra.com.

"Hundreds Seek Help, Advice at Lyme Disease Forum." Leesburg Today.

Kristi King, "Loudoun County's Growing Problem: Lyme Disease." WTOP.com

"Lyme Disease Symptoms." CDC.gov.

"Tick Removal." eMedTV.com.