How To Prevent Tick Bites and Lyme Disease

Summary: Enjoying the great outdoors? Watch out for ticks! Lyme disease spreads through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. These tiny bugs usually need to be attached to your skin for over 24 hours to pass on the bacteria. Early signs of Lyme disease include flu-like symptoms and a bull's-eye rash.

If you spot a tick, remove it right away with tweezers. Doctors treat Lyme disease with antibiotics, and catching it early is the key to a fast recovery. Protect yourself by using bug spray, wearing long sleeves, staying on clear trails, and checking your skin (and pets!) after coming inside.

For more details, see rssapp-nm-org-healthbeat at nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/eye-on-lyme-disease (opens in new tab)