Tips On How To Treat Lyme Disease

By Etta Bowen


Treatment of lyme disease requires early intervention with the right antibiotics. It takes about a month for the symptoms to be diagnosed. The earliest signs include a rash characterized by a small bump around the area of the bite. This rash may develop on multiple areas on your body. It occurs in a bulls eye pattern with a red ring surrounding the clear area. The patient also experiences flue like symptoms of fever, fatigue, chills, aches and headache.

Advanced stages come with own symptoms. The bacteria are progressive in severity. Experts who understand how to treat lyme disease suggest that the symptoms will become more clear as days or weeks progress. In some cases, it takes up to a month.

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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