There is still much to be learned about Lyme disease, but one thing that the medical world is sure of, is that it is an illness associated with tick bites. The bacteria that cause the disease are transferred to humans during the tick's feeding. These bacteria are called Borrelia burgdorferi.

Lyme disease is common in areas where thick foliage exists. Deer ticks make homes in these areas so that they can cling onto animals as they pass, but they don't discriminate between animals and humans, and can often go unnoticed if they burrow down in areas which are hard to see, like beneath the hairline.

Early Signs And Symptoms Of Lyme Disease:

Lyme disease symptoms can take some time to appear, which make it even more difficult to pinpoint. Symptoms may not begin until four weeks after you have come into contact with a tick. Usually these symptoms begin with a rash. This will start with a small bump, which will expand into a pink or red circular pattern. This rash is known within the medical community as erythema migrans, and it can appear just at the location of the bite, or in various places across the body. Accompanying this is the telltale bullseye. Those who have been bitten by a tick will eventually begin to feel sick. A fever, harsh headaches, and other symptoms associated with a cold or flu will begin to take effect, making the infected individual feel weak and miserable.

Later On:

Following the appearance of a rash and cold symptoms, those bitten and infected will soon feel more Lyme disease symptoms in the form of stiffness and pain in their joints. This could occur directly after the previous mentioned signs of Lyme disease, or develop slowly over several months. Meningitis and Bell's palsy can appear in the form of partial facial paralysis and the swelling of external brain tissues. Due to the swelling, many patients describe themselves as being unable to focus, retain short term memory, or act as they normally would in terms of personality, likes, and dislikes. Some patients also complain of extreme sleepiness and continuous headaches.

Finding A Cure:

Currently there is no cure for Lyme disease, although doctors have discovered some treatments that help relieve certain symptoms. Many men and women who have this disease will turn to holistic practices and other therapies in their continuing efforts to search for relief.

If you have been bitten by a tick, or feel that you are experiencing early Lyme disease symptoms, it is very important that you seek help as soon as possible through a medical professional. The symptoms associated with the disease are very dangerous if left untreated, and sometimes they can be linked to other illnesses. Or the symptoms could be mistaken for Lyme disease, which can be problematic.

Remember to always check yourself, and your family members for ticks following any hike or camping trip, or after any outing near long grasses or wooded areas. Remember to check hard to see locations like armpits and under hair to be certain that no pests have come home with you. If you know that you will be entering these kinds of locations, tick repellent can also help keep them away.