Lyme disease is a type of infection that is a result of a bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. This type of bacteria generally gets transmitted through a bite of a deer tick, which is typically black legged. The tick generally causes an infection by feeding on mice or a deer that is infected.

In order to get Lyme disease, the tick needs to be present in the skin for a duration of 24 to 48 hours. Unfortunately, most of the patients of Lyme disease do not recollect being bitten by a tick. Hence, it is important to maintain caution.

Lyme disease was first discovered in Old Lyme in Connecticut in the year 1975. This is where it gets its name from. It is one of the most frequent illnesses, which are borne by ticks and is quite common in the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest of the United States. People living in wooded areas are most susceptible to getting infected with Lyme disease. Additionally, people owning domesticated animals, who wander out in wooded areas, may also be at a higher risk of contracting this illness.

Since prevention is better than cure. Therefore, there is no harm in practicing certain prevention measures, especially if you lie in the aforementioned demographics and are susceptible to getting Lyme disease. Following are some of the preventive measures that you can practice.

What are the prevention measures?
The prevention measures for Lyme disease typically involve reducing the risk of getting bitten by a tick. However, here are some of the steps that you can take to reduce tick bites completely so that you can completely reduce the chance of getting Lyme disease.

• If you live in wooded areas or are visiting any of the wooded areas, then remember to wear long sleeved shirts and long pants when you go outdoors.
• Clear the wooded areas in your yard, so that you do not attract any ticks. You can also store most of the woodpiles in areas that are exposed to the sun.
• Using insect repellent is also a good way to avoid Lyme disease. However, you need a very specific type of insect repellent, which is equipped with 10 percent DEET (diethyltoluamide). DEET is a type of yellow oil, which is used mainly in insect repellents, including the ones meant for mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, leeches, and other insects.
• It is also important to remember to not apply DEET to the hands of young children or on the faces of infants who are not even two months old, as it can be harmful for them.
• Alternatively, you can use the oil of lemon and eucalyptus, which will give a similar protection to that of DEET-centric solutions. Even this cannot be used for children who are aged below three, as it may be harmful.
• Lastly, remain vigilant and keep checking for ticks, especially on pets and children. You can even remove them with tweezers to avoid Lyme disease completely.

It is quite easy to prevent Lyme disease. So, ensure that you have your guard up, especially when you go outdoors.