A community health guide for parents and families — covering detection, removal, symptoms, and early treatment of tick-borne Lyme disease.
Learn the Essentials ↓Lyme disease is caused primarily by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, transmitted to humans through the bite of the black-legged tick (deer tick). These ticks are tiny and often go unnoticed.
Lyme disease is most common in summer months — particularly in wooded or grassy areas — but transmission can occur at any time of year. Early detection is critical, as untreated cases can progress through three increasingly serious stages.
Ticks thrive in wooded areas, tall grass, and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails and avoid brushing against vegetation when possible.
Apply EPA-approved repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin and clothing before going outdoors.
Long sleeves and pants help keep ticks off your skin. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot. Tuck pants into socks when hiking.
After time outdoors, check your entire body carefully — including scalp, behind ears, armpits, groin, and behind the knees. Check children and pets too.
Pets carry ticks indoors. Check dogs and cats daily, especially after outdoor time, and use vet-recommended tick prevention products.
After outdoor activities in tick-prone areas, tumble-dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks before washing.
Grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Do not use fingers — tweezers give you control and reduce the risk of squeezing the tick's body.
Apply even, upward pressure without twisting or jerking. Slow, steady tension prevents the mouthparts from breaking off and remaining in the skin.
After removal, thoroughly clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol, iodine scrub, or soap and water. Wash your hands as well.
Save the tick in a sealed bag for identification. Watch for symptoms — especially rash — over the next 30 days. Consult a doctor if any signs develop.
Oral antibiotics such as doxycycline or amoxicillin for 10–14 days are highly effective when started early. Most patients recover fully.
Later-stage Lyme may require longer courses or IV antibiotics (ceftriaxone) to address heart, neurological, and joint involvement.
Physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, and supportive care help manage joint pain and fatigue in prolonged cases.
Some patients develop PTLDS — persistent fatigue, joint pain, and cognitive difficulties — even after successful antibiotic treatment. Most recover within a month; additional antibiotics provide little benefit for PTLDS.
Pennsylvania consistently leads the nation in reported Lyme disease cases. If you live here, awareness and prevention aren't optional — they're essential.