As temperatures rise, so does the number of ticks. A bite can be really dangerous – and trigger Lyme disease, which in the worst case can lead to a stroke. You can find out how you can protect yourself from the disease here.

Tick ​​time is on. Since snow and frost are a thing of the past, even at night, and temperatures have been permanently above zero again, the parasites are waking up from their hibernation. From now on there is a risk of being bitten by one of the parasites. A tick bite is anything but harmless and should always be taken seriously.

Lyme disease bacteria can enter the body through the bite, attack nerves and the brain and cause serious inflammation. 

Lyme disease is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United States (a vector-borne disease is one that is spread by mosquitoes, ticks, or fleas). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 20,000–30,000 new cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed each year.

If the infection is not treated properly, there is a risk of neuroborreliosis – and with it serious late effects that can still show up years after the bite. 

Some doctors then even recommend a month-long course of antibiotics. 

But what exactly is behind the disease? And what are the symptoms?

Symptoms of neuroborreliosis

Neuroborreliosis, a complication of the so-called Lyme disease, usually breaks out through the bite of an infected tick. The symptoms usually only appear weeks or months after the infection has been transmitted by the tick bite and are triggered by a non-purulent inflammation of the meninges and the nerve roots of the spinal cord.

Those affected suffer from excruciating pain, tingling and sometimes even paralysis, with the symptoms occurring more intensely at night in particular. Neurologists say that the pain spread like a belt over the body. 

They can occur on any extremity, depending on which nerve roots are affected. Paralysis of the face on one or both sides is particularly common.

Children, on the other hand, often develop meningitis, which manifests itself in stiff necks and severe headaches.

Clear indication of Lyme disease: the red circle

A clear sign of Lyme disease infection is the so-called erythema – a red circle on the skin that spreads from the puncture site of the tick bite. However, it does not show that the infection is also spreading to the nerves. Nevertheless, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to stop Lyme disease in its early stages with a course of antibiotics and to be able to counteract long-term damage.

An untreated Lyme disease can have serious consequences. If left untreated, it can affect the heart and blood vessels in the brain and even lead to a stroke, the doctors warn.

How can neuroborreliosis be detected?

The fatal thing about neuroborreliosis: The cause of the symptoms is not always recognized immediately. A herniated disc, for example, is often misdiagnosed as the trigger. The nervous disease can only be recognized with certainty in the cerebrospinal fluid of the patient. Certain antibodies and inflammatory changes can be detected here. For this purpose, some nerve fluid is removed with a hollow needle in the lumbar area between the vertebrae, this is called a lumbar puncture.

How is neuroborreliosis treated?

If the suspicion of neuroborreliosis is confirmed, it is usually treated with antibiotics for two weeks – in tablet form or as an infusion. If the symptoms persist six months after antibiotic therapy, the spinal fluid is re-examined and the treatment repeated if necessary.

If neuroborreliosis is only recognized later, there is a risk of long-term damage. Nerves can then already be permanently damaged. This makes it all the more important to see a doctor as soon as possible if Lyme disease is suspected, in order to prevent neuroborreliosis from developing late – because the infection can be treated well at an early stage.

How to protect yourself from tick bites

So far there is no vaccine that can protect against Lyme disease. However, it is important to avoid the risk of a tick bite. You should consider the following things when you are out in nature – especially in forest and meadow areas. In general, you should avoid long stays in tall grass and undergrowth.

• Long clothing: wear closed-toe clothing with long sleeves and long pants, and pull socks over pant legs. Closed-toe shoes can also make it difficult for arachnids to access the skin.
• Light-colored clothing: Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot the critters before they get on your skin—so you’re one step ahead of them.
• Repellents: Insect repellents containing the substances icaridin or diethyltoluamide (DEET) offer additional protection.
• Be vigilant : Check your entire body for ticks after spending time outdoors. Pay particular attention to the hollows of your knees, the stomach and chest area and the crotch. In children, the head, hairline, and neck are also commonly affected.

Image Credit: Getty

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