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Lyme disease

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Borreliosis

Prevention:

When walking or hiking in wooded or grassy areas, tuck long pants into socks to protect the legs, and wear shoes and light-colored, long-sleeved shirts. Ticks show up better on white or light colored-clothing than dark items. Spray your clothes with insect repellant.

Check yourself and your pets frequently. If you find ticks, remove them immediately by using tweezers, pulling carefully and steadily.

Ticks that carry Lyme disease are usually so small that they are almost impossible to see. After returning home, remove your clothes and thoroughly inspect all skin surface areas, including your scalp.

• Review Date: 6/29/2007
• Reviewed By: Cyrus Badshah, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine,College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University; Assistant AttendingPhysician, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases & MedicalDirector, Chest (TB)Clinic and Directly Observed Therapy Program, HarlemHospital Center. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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