headaches, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, fatigue and sometimes a rash.”
What happens if you are diagnosed at a later stage?
“If you miss Lyme disease in its early stages, there can be serious consequences,” Dr. Adam Friedman, chair of dermatology at George Washington University’s School of Medicine & Health Sciences in Washington, D.C. says. “On lighter skin, the classic Lyme disease bulls-eye rash may appear red or pink, but on darker skin, it can be brown, black, purple or even off-white.”
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How to prevent Lyme disease
Taking steps to prevent tick bites will lower your risk of developing Lyme disease.
Prevention includes:
- Using insect repellent
- Wearing long pants and shirts when in wooded or endemic areas
- Checking for ticks and removing them promptly if they are found
Lyme disease often resolves quickly when caught and treated early with antibiotics, but missing it in its earlier stages increases the risk it will spread and cause other potentially serious health problems, such as numbness, tingling, muscle weakness and/or meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord).
If you notice any symptoms of Lyme disease, you should alert your doctor as soon as possible. He or she may suggest an oral antibiotic to eliminate the infection.