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Because I live in Minnesota and our family has a cabin in the North woods, I'm aware of Lyme disease. Our family is so aware of it that one member tacked a photo of a tic bite to the kitchen counter. We've found crawling tics on floors, our clothes, our beds, and our bodies. Tics are hardy little devils and you think you've killed one, only to have it walk away. That's why we wrap tics in cellophane tape, pinch the tape hard, and seal the edges tightly.

A month ago, when my husband and I were working at the cabin, I was bitten by a tic. The bite itched, but I didn't pay any attention to it because I thought it was a mosquito bite. (I try not to scratch mosquito bites because the itch goes away faster if you don't.) After the skin around the bite turned red I began to get suspicious. Then a red circle appeared, a so-called "bull's-eye," and it became as hard as plastic. My bite looked just like the cabin photo.

Antibiotics are the standard treatment for suspected Lyme disease and I started taking doxycycline twice a day. I'm still taking it and will take it for 21 days. The doxycycline makes me a bit nauseous, unfortunately. The American Lyme Disease Foundation (ALDF) has posted a treatment table of prescribed dosages for adults and children on its website. The ALDF has also posted information on Lyme disease tests, though doctors disagree on their accuracy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Lyme disease may cause loss of muscle tone in the face (Bell's palsy), severe headaches, a stiff neck, shooting pains that wake you up, heart palpatations, dizziness from these palpatations and severe joint pain. About 60% of the patients who weren't treated for Lyme disease had "intermittent bouts of arthritis, with severe joint pain and swelling," according to the CDC. Additional symptoms include numbness and/or tingling hands and feet, concentration problems, and memory loss.

I haven't had any of these symptoms, thank goodness, and don't want you to have them. How can you prevent Lyme disease? Mayo Clinic recommends wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants. Spray yourself with insect repellent before you go outside. If you find a tic on your body remove it carefully with tweezers and put antiseptic on the site. Cutting foliage away from your house or cabin may also help to prevent tic bites.

Most important, if you have what I experienced - a distinct bite, red skin or rash, and a "bull's-eye" - see your doctor immediately.

Lyme disease is more prevalent than you may think and CDC statistics confirm this. In 2004, 19,804 cases of Lyme disease were reported, which works out to 6.7 cases per 100,000 people. In the 12 states where Lyme disease is most common, the average was 27.4 cases per 100,000 people.

Being bitten by a tic has reminded me that I have to check my body often for tics and bites, something I failed to do. I was so busy stripping wallpaper that I forgot to think about tics. Though I wore long-sleeved shirts and jeans while I was at the cabin, these clothes didn't prevent the bite. We've informed all family members about my bite and told them to be on the alert for tics.

You should inspect your pets regularly for tics as well. After one visit to the North woods we found more than 40 tics on our Golden Retriever and removing them took hours. This brings up another prevention tip, which is staying on established trails and paths. Be alert to Lyme disease and do everything you can to protect yourself.

Copyright 2006 by Harriet Hodgson

http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been a nonfiction writer for 27 years and is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Her 24th book, "Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief," written with Lois Krahn, MD is available from http://www.amazon.com. A five-star review of the book is posted on Amazon. You'll find another review on the American Hospice Foundation website under the "School Corner" heading.