Avoiding Lyme Disease
With the first day of summer just around the corner, you’re probably planning fun getaways and trips into the great outdoors. Lyme disease is an unfortunate risk if you’re going into the great outdoors, and in today’s entry, we’ll provide you with a few effective tips that can help you avoid it this summer.
Ozark Holistic Center is proud to be the Top Rated Local® holistic health center in Fayetteville. We provide Lyme disease treatment, chiropractic work, and a number of other services that can help you live a healthy, happy life. Get in touch with us here for an appointment, and read on to learn more about how to avoid Lyme disease!
Wear Protective Clothing
If you’re going to be hiking or walking through a forested area, be sure to wear protective clothing that covers your arms and ankles. You can find lightweight, breathable options at most sporting goods retailers.
Check Yourself
Most people don’t feel tick bites, so it’s important to thoroughly check yourself if you’ve been hiking, camping, or walking through areas with tall grass. Use a full-body mirror to check easy-to-see areas, and use a hand mirror to check more difficult areas such as under your arms and behind your knees. If you took pets along, be sure to check them as well.
Remove Ticks Quickly
Don’t panic if you do find a tick on your body. Remove it as soon as possible by using fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to its head as possible. We know that this part isn’t exactly what you want to read before a meal, but make sure that you use slow movement and even pressure in order to avoid breaking the tick off at the head. After you’ve removed the tick, save it in a bag and bring it to our office for Lyme testing.
Watch for Lyme Disease Symptoms
If you’ve been bitten by a tick, it’s important to watch for the most common signs and symptoms of Lyme disease:
Early Symptoms (3 to 30 Days)
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Chronic fatigue
- Aches and swollen joints
- Inflamed lymph nodes
Later Symptoms (30+ Days)
- Severe headaches and neck pain
- Arthritis and joint swelling
- Facial palsy
- Muscle and tendon pain
- Dizziness and shortness of breath
- Inflammation of the brain and/or spinal cord
- Short-term memory impairment
While these symptoms are severe, they can be treated if the disease is caught in the early stages. Come to Ozark Holistic Center for a personalized care plan if you are experiencing any of these symptoms after being bitten by a tick.
Schedule and Appointment Today!
We hope that today’s entry will help you avoid Lyme this summer. If you’re experiencing the common symptoms of Lyme disease, or if you’re just not feeling like yourself, then schedule an appointment with Ozark Holistic Center. Our chiropractic experts will develop a personalized treatment plan that supports your body and helps you get back to feeling great.
We look forward to speaking with you!