Lyme Disease : Be Careful During Picnic

Warm weather and the arrival of summer have led many of us to spend time in local picnic areas. While outdoor activities have positive effects on both our health and our psychology, fresh air is especially important for revitalizing the body and meeting our body’s need for oxygen. Stepping in the soil with our bare feet, which is widely known as a form of electric discharge, is one of the most widely recommended summer activities. However, be careful when you spend time in picnic areas, as the hot weather causes the carriers of infectious diseases to emerge. Ticks, which start to appear in March, breed until November and are very common in open areas, making people susceptible to contracting the Borrelia burgdorferi infection caused by ticks which causes Lyme disease, affecting the heart, joints and nervous system and can even cause death.

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is caused by exposure to Lyme bacteria, and ticks are a known carrier of this. The symptoms of Lyme disease may manifest themselves differently in various patients but if you have been exposed to a tick bite, it is very likely that you have been exposed to this infectious disease. The most common symptom of Lyme disease is pain in the joints. Symptoms may vary according to a person’s immune system. A study conducted by the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society has revealed that the bacterium that causes Lyme disease also causes manic depression. According to the study, Lyme disease slows brain function and affects one’s ability to concentrate as well as attention span, and can lead to memory loss and inability to multitask.

Lyme Disease may cause other health problems

Lyme disease also causes brain swelling and obstructs blood flow, which can cause numerous other health problems. One common symptom of Lyme disease is known as the Bull’s Eye, a red rash on the skin that causes circular shaped bumps. The rash is described by many scientists as the classic symptom of the disease. The Bull’s Eye rash on your body is a sure sign that you have been infected. However, it is not right to associate this symptom with Lyme disease without having a blood test.

A test called ELISA is carried out to diagnose Lyme disease in the early stages. This test, which searches for symptoms in your blood, is accurate in roughly 45-to-60 percent of all cases, meaning there is a chance that the test is 50 percent inaccurate.It is possible that many people do not see the rash on the body when it appears, while some people may not even realize that they have hair loss or the rash on the scalp, behind the ears or on the elbows. Other symptoms, such as headache, neck stiffness, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, insomnia and memory problems, are also looked for in diagnosing Lyme disease.

Treatment of Lyme disease

Early diagnosis of the disease is very important. Treatment can be positively responded when symptoms of Lyme disease are recognized early. Blood tests as well as urine tests provide an accurate diagnosis. A standard treatment is not effective for everyone. After the recommended course of antibiotics, 20 percent of patients typically have symptoms including joint pain, tiredness, or muscle soreness for two to four weeks. It is important to remember that this disease may occur not only with tick bites but also with mosquitoes and insect bites as well.

Ways to prevent Lyme disease

Doing exercise and eating well help your body to expel the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Heat and oxygen help eliminate Lyme bacteria, making regular exercise crucial. Eating leafy greens and a fruit-based diet will also help the body defend itself against the disease by strengthening your body’s immune system.

Use lemon to clean your home instead of harmful pesticides. Lemon has a scent that most pests do not like. As a precaution to prevent ticks, use lemon to clean your home.

Be mindful of your body. Observing bodily changes is of key importance in detecting Lyme disease in the early stages. If you see changes in your skin, moles or redness you have not noticed before, you should definitely see a doctor

Be careful while taking off your underwear and clothes. If you have been in the grass or forest, wash your clothes thoroughly and check your body for ticks.

Showering often is a good way to prevent Lyme disease.

Be sure to check your body for ticks after spending time outdoors

Mow the grass. Mowing the grass is an organic way to control the environments that ticks love. Also, do not forget to clean the flower beds in your garden. Also, treat and kill weeds in your garden to prevent ticks.

Ticks do not like passing across roads covered with pebbles. So, put as many pebbles as possible on the perimeter of your garden. Pebbles create a buffer zone between you and ticks.

When sitting in picnic areas, use materials such as mattresses and rugs as direct contact with grass and soil will put you at risk.

If you have wood in your garden or near your home, be careful to keep it dry. Wet wood can be a breeding ground for insects. Ticks can often be found crawling out of damp or wet wood in shaded areas.

Tick repellants contain substances that can harm both you and the environment. If you have to use chemical tick repellents, avoid close contact. It is a good idea to grow tropical bushes in your garden as these can protect your garden from ticks. Ask your local nursery for tips on planting bushes and plants to prevent ticks.

Another organic method that can protect you from ticks is chicken farming. Chickens enjoy eating ticks and for this reason, some farmers have used chickens as a way to protect their crops. Nature always has a way to balance and defeat threats. So, you can try getting a few chickens.

When you see ticks, pay attention to the following items

Never touch ticks with your bare hands. This interference can result in death.

If the head of the tick is buried deeply in your skin, it must be removed surgically. If you notice a tick on your body, you should immediately go to the nearest health facility.

Do not spray insecticide on it. Since insect repellents contain chemicals, they are not suitable for dermatologic use. Physicians can provide proper treatment.

In some cases, you may not be able to see the tick but you may be showing symptoms of Lyme disease. Be aware of your body. If you notice any changes, be sure to consult with your physician.

Have your blood and urine tested for any unexplained symptoms.

Be cautious in areas where you may be exposed to tick bites