How To Treat Lyme Disease

By Etta Bowen


Treating lyme disease requires antibiotic intervention as early as possible. It takes several weeks to a month to see the first symptoms. On the area where the tick bit, a small bump will appear and later the rash will spread to other parts of the body. It has a bulls eye characteristic with a clear area and a red circle surrounding the area bitten. The patient experiences body and head aches, fatigue, fever and chills, among other flu like symptoms.

Some of the signs develop weeks or a month after the bite. It is necessary to understand the symptoms at each stage since they develop progressively. Experts who understand how to treat lyme disease point at the spread of the rush to other body parts. This happens weeks or months after the bite.

Antibiotics will be administered after the doctor ascertains the presence of the bacteria through tests. Seeking early treatment leads to quicker recovery. Early treatment is done through oral antibiotics.

Amoxicillin and doxycycline are used on children above 8 years and adults. Pregnant and breast feeding mothers as well as children below 8 years are treated using Cefuroxime. Treatment takes between 14 and 21 days though some studies indicate that 10 to 14 days are enough to clear the bacteria.

Intravenous antibiotics are used when the bacteria has spread to the nervous system. This injection is administered over 14 to 28 days. While this method is effective, it takes longer to eliminate it from the body. Some of the side effects of this injection include reduction in white blood cell count, diarrhea and colonization by antibiotic resistant organisms.

After being treated, some patients will still display symptoms such as fatigue and muscle aches. The symptoms do not go away despite continue antibiotic use. This is attributed, to some extent, to the development of autoimmune response by the body. Studies are on going to unravel the mystery.

The use of Bismacine is yet to receive full approval from Food and Drugs Administration. This is a common prescription by alternative practitioners. Its high concentration of bismuth metal is the main cause. It may lead to poisoning or predispose the patient to conditions such as kidney failure and heart diseases.

It is advisable to avoid areas where deer ticks can be found if you are to keep off the disease. The areas include sections with long grass as well as bushy and wooded areas. Simple precautions that reduce exposure include wearing long pants and sleeved shirts when walking or working around such areas.

There are insect repellants that can be used to reduce exposure. The most effective repellants have higher DEET concentration. Guardians must avoid the mouth, hands and eyes when applying such repellants on children. Permethrin may be applied on cloths or pretreated clothes obtained for farm use.

All yards require regular disinfecting to keep them free from ticks. Woodpiles should be kept in the sun with efforts to clear bushes. Regular disinfecting of pets is recommended besides keeping the living area clean. Ticks should be removes as quickly as possible using tweezers and antiseptic applied on the bitten section.




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