May is Lyme disease awareness month in the United States. With the warm weather comes the proliferation of ticks, so we think this is the best time to raise awareness across Europe as well.
The Lyme disease is a little known disease. Neither the number of people affected and the severity of the damage. symptoms of Lyme for people suffering from itare reason enough to put it on the front page. That is why dedicating a date to awareness and sensitisation is so important. And we could not point to a better month than May.
In the United States, dozens of patient associations from different counties and states come together in different events that aim to raise awareness of the disease and raise funds for research and support for patients. In Europe, we are a long way from achieving this visibility but At Biosalud Day Hospital we believe it is important to do so in order to prevent and avoid the suffering of hundreds of patients.
In the month of May, they begin to temperatures are rising and nature is at its most intense, green and lush due to the spring rains.. The best plans are in the countryside, and that's where ticks lurk. What can we do to avoid being bitten?
There are two very important moments in prevention: the preparation before going out and observation of your body when you get home.
It is true that not all ticks transmit the disease. Lyme disease but it is better to check because this pathology never comes alone and has other associated infections that make the patient's evolution more complicated.
10 TIPS TO PREVENT LYME DISEASE
The most important thing, if we want to enjoy a day in the countryside without incident, is to dress in long clothing to prevent ticks from coming into contact with our skin. Likewise, when we return home, we should wash our clothes at a high temperature and check the damp areas of our skin indicated in the following drawing, as these are the favourite locations for ticks.
If we have pets, we must take special care. Even if they are protected with parasite protection, ticks can jump onto our clothes and skin when we get home. That is why it is very important to check your dog's skin, especially behind the ears, on the neck or behind the legs. The most advisable thing to do is to make a thorough analysis of the whole animal and this way we will avoid scares.
Lyme disease in Europe
Lyme disease is endemic in many areas of Europe, but it is there are no uniform studies on its incidence or the number of cases.even within regions of a country, as is the case in Spain.
For example, in Lithuania, 100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants are known to occur. In Finland, in 2014, there were 61 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and in France, in 2016, there were 84 diagnosed cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Overall, the incidence of Lyme disease is considered to have tripled in recent years.
The tick ixodes Ricinus is considered to be the main transmitter of Lyme disease, this is its distribution in the wooded areas of Europe.
A study to obtain Lyme data from around the world
Imagine a world in which people with these symptoms would get a diagnosis of lyme They are treated in a professional manner and are able to return to their lives. This is the aspiration of the MyLymeData projecta large research and information project in which patients are the protagonists. This project not only allows patients to be in contact and share experiences, but also collects data to create patterns of patient behaviour. treatment of Lyme or patient care. Although this is a project that is being developed with patients in the United States, MyLymeData will gradually open up to other countries. You can sign up at this link and you will be notified when this project is open in Spain.
