Lyme disease is a little-known illness. Neither the number of people it affects nor the severity of Lyme symptoms for those who suffer from it are sufficient reasons to put it in the spotlight. That is why dedicating a day to raising awareness and sensitization is so important. And we couldn't think of a better month than May.
In the United States, dozens of patient associations from different counties and states come together in various events aimed at raising awareness of the disease and raising funds for research and patient support. In Europe, we are far from achieving this level of 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 May, temperatures begin to rise and nature experiences its most intense, green, and lush season thanks to the spring rains. The best plans are in the countryside, and that is precisely where ticks lurk. What can we do to avoid being bitten?
There are two very important moments in prevention: preparing before you leave and observing your body when you get home.
It is true that not all ticks transmit Lyme disease, but it is better to check because this condition never comes alone and has other associated infections that complicate the patient's recovery.
10 TIPS TO PREVENT LYME DISEASE
Most importantly, if we want to enjoy a day in the countryside without any incidents, we should wear long clothing to prevent ticks from coming into contact with our skin. Similarly, when we return home, we should wash our clothes at a high temperature and check the moist areas of our skin indicated in the following diagram, as these are the favorite locations for ticks.
If we have pets, we must take special care. Even if they are protected with anti-parasite treatments, ticks can jump onto our clothes and skin when we get home. That is why it is very important to check our dog's skin, especially behind the ears, on the neck, and behind the legs. It is best to do a thorough check of the entire animal to avoid any surprises.
Lyme disease is endemic in many areas of Europe, but there are no uniform studies on its incidence or the number of cases, even within regions of a single country, as is the case in Spain.
For example, in Lithuania, there are 100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. 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 . In general, it is believed that the incidence of Lyme disease has tripled in recent years.
The Ixodes ricinus tick is considered the main transmitter of Lyme disease. This is its distribution in the forested areas of Europe.
Imagine a world in which people with these symptoms receive a professional Lyme diagnosis, are treated correctly, and can return to their lives. This is the aspiration of the MyLymeData project, a large-scale research and information project in which patients play a leading role. This project not only allows patients to connect and share experiences, but also collects data that can be used to identify patterns in Lyme treatment and patient care. Although this project is currently being developed with patients in the United States, MyLymeData will gradually be opened up to other countries. You can sign up at this link and you will be notified when the project is open in Spain.
