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Lyme Disease - Topic Overview

(continued)

If it goes untreated, Lyme disease can lead to problems with your skin, joints, nervous system, and heart. These can occur weeks, months, or even years after your tick bite. The problems often get better with antibiotics, but in rare cases they can last the rest of your life.

Can you prevent Lyme disease?

The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to protect yourself from ticks. Cover up as much skin as you can when you're going to be in wooded or grassy areas. Wear a hat, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants with the legs tucked into your socks. And keep in mind that it’s easier to see ticks on light-colored clothes.

Use a bug spray that has the chemical DEET to repel ticks. You can spray it right on your skin. Check your pets for ticks after they've been outside. You can't get Lyme disease from your pet. But your pet can bring infected ticks inside. These ticks can fall off your pet and attach to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about Lyme disease:	What is Lyme disease? What causes it? Can I prevent it? What are the symptoms? What happens in Lyme disease? What increases my risk for it? Who gets it?
Being diagnosed:	Who can diagnose Lyme disease? How is it diagnosed? What is a Lyme disease test? Can Lyme disease be misdiagnosed?
Getting treatment:	How is Lyme disease treated? What medicines will I need to take?
Ongoing concerns:	What complications can develop?
Living with Lyme disease:	What can I do at home to relieve symptoms of Lyme disease?

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WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: August 31, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.