Alarming Numbers of Devastating Disease Reported in Texas

Texas is usually known for its wide-open spaces and big, beautiful sunsets, but it’s also becoming an unexpected hotspot for a much tinier, and more sinister problem- ticks. Lyme disease cases are being reported across the state at an alarming rate, prompting concern among health officials. From the backyard to hiking trails, Texans are being chomped on by ticks, and some of those bites and lead to very serious, sometimes even debilitating illness. Let’s take a closer look at what’s behind the surge in tick activity, and what we can do to stay safe.

Rise in Tick Activity

Dr. Michael Allen from UNT’s Health Science Center says the influx of Lyme disease reports is due in part to the fact that Texas experiences a relatively wet spring and summer, with heat that wasn’t quite as oppressive as is typical, which led to the survival of ticks from winter months through til summer. Contrary to popular belief, Lyme disease is a massive concern in the United States with roughly half a million cases reported each year.

Lyme Disease: What To Know

Lyme disease is caused when bacteria are transmitted from a deer tick, and may cause symptoms that affect the skin, nervous system, heart, and/or joints of a person. It can affect people of any age, but people who spend more time in grassy or wooded environments are especially at risk of exposure. Not every tick bite will give you Lyme disease, and in most cases, a tick must be attached 36 hours or more before it transmits bacteria to you. Lyme disease cannot be spread from person to person, and transference to the fetus of a pregnant woman is extremely rare.

Read More: Bee Infestation Causes Stings In South Lubbock Neighborhood

Lyme Disease Symptoms

60 to 80 percent of Lyme disease cases begin with a solid patch rash, roughly 2 inches in diameter, that appears around or near the site of the bite. In some cases, there will be multiple rashes. Early signs of the disease include headache, fever/chills, stiff neck, swollen glands, and muscle/joint pain. If the disease goes untreated in the early stage, it can become much more severe. As Lyme disease progresses, untreated, it is characterized by severe fatigue, stiff aching neck, numbness and tingling sensations in the arms and legs, and even facial paralysis. Sometimes, this array of symptoms doesn’t appear for weeks, months, or even years after the tick bite. It’s important to seek medical treatment immediately if you think you may have contracted Lyme disease. With antibiotics, it’s almost always fully curable. However, the chances to completely cure the disease will decrease if treatment is delayed.

Lyme Disease Prevention

Deer ticks love moist areas that are shady and right around ground level. They cling to tall grass, shrubs, and bushes, waiting for a passing animal to drop onto. Once a tick reaches your skin, it typically climbs upward, looking for protected areas to latch onto. After you’ve spent time outdoors, be sure to check all of your most private areas for the little critters. They are very light and small, and often go unnoticed as they walk across your body. Wear light-colored clothing to easily spot them and consider tucking your pants into your socks or boots when you’re out in thick grass and brush. Use insect repellent and avoid sitting directly on the ground or stone walls, and keep your hair pulled back, especially when doing things like gardening.

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