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Prophylactic Treatment
Prophylactic antibiotic treatment for a tick bite has been recommended in certain situations. Even in highly endemic areas, the risk of Lyme disease after a tick bite is low. Antibiotic prophylaxis for tick bites is not recommended in the Pacific Northwest. Vaccine A vaccine against Lyme disease is under development. As of fall 1997 it was not yet commercially available for humans. |
Lyme Disease Prevention
The risk of acquiring Lyme disease can be reduced by appropriate preventive measures. In areas where tick exposure is likely, one should wear light colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants and check periodically for ticks. Pants should be tucked into socks, and closed toed shoes (i.e. no sandals) should be worn. Hikers should walk in the center of trails to avoid grass and brush that might harbor ticks. Tick repellents are recommended. The most effective repellent is N,N diethylmeta-toluamide (DEET), which can be applied to clothing or skin. Preparations from 5 percent to nearly 100 percent DEET are available in a large number of over-the-counter commercial products. DEET should not be used on small children because it can be toxic. Application to face and hands is not recommended. Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid that kills ticks on contact and is used on clothing. One application can last a day or longer. Clothing should not be retreated within 48 hours unless washed between applications. At the present time permethrin is not recommended for use on skin for prevention of tick bites. |
After likely tick exposures, clothing should be washed and each participant's body should be inspected for ticks. If a tick is found, it can be removed with curved forceps or thin tipped tweezers by grasping the tick as close to the surface of the skin as possible. Gentle, steady pressure should be applied pulling the tick directly away from the skin. Twisting or jerking the tick can cause the mouthparts to break off in the skin and should be avoided. Squeezing the body of an engorged tick can release spirochetes onto the skin and should be avoided. The site of the bite should be monitored for signs of erythema migrans. Other techniques for removing ticks such as applying petroleum jelly to suffocate the tick or applying a hot match stick to cause the tick to back out can actually increase the risk of infection and are not recommended. A similar procedure for finding and removing ticks should also be applied to any pets with exposure. |