Named for the town of Lyme, CT, where cases were first recognized, Lyme Disease is a serious vector-borne disease affecting the skin as well as other parts of the body. “Vector-borne” means that there is a “vector” for the transmission of the infectious agent. Vectors are typically insects. In this case, the vector is a tick, and the infectious agent is a bacterium.

What Are The Symptoms of Lyme Disease?

The major symptom is Lyme Disease is a distinctive rash called erythema migrans. Erythema migrans appears either as a solid red expanding rash or blotch, OR a central spot surrounded by clear skin that is in turn ringed by an expanding red rash (looks like a bull's-eye).

When the rash appears, there are often symptoms in other parts of the body like:

• Joint pain
• Chills and fever
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Stiff, achy neck
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Arthritis/joint swelling
• In later stages, there may be:
• Confusion, disorientation
• Memory loss
• Peripheral neuropathy (tingling/numbness in the extremities)

What Causes Lyme Disease?

The process begins when a person is bitten by a deer tick (blacklegged tick) which is infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. The tick, being a “vector,” transmits the bacterium to the human via the bite. The bacterium, then, is the cause of the disease itself, which is sometimes =referred to as “Lyme Borreliosis.”

Who Is Likely To Get Lyme Disease?

• People who go hiking in tall grass or woods
• People in the following states have the highest incidence (primarily Eastern):
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Maryland
• New Jersey,
• Pennsylvania
• New York
• Wisconsin

What Does Treatment for Lyme Disease Involve?

Treatment consists of oral antibiotics such as amoxicillin, doxycycline, or a newer cephalosporin such as cefuroxime. In more advanced disease, intravenous antibiotics such as ceftriaxone or penicillin are indicated.

What Are The Advantages Of Treatment?

Proper treatment with antibiotics kills the responsible bacteria and prevents disease progression.

How Long Does It Take?

A proper course of antibiotic treatment is generally 4 weeks.

How Many Treatments Are Required?

As indicated above, 4 weeks of daily treatment are recommended, but some patients may benefit from or require slightly longer treatment.

When Will I See Results?

After a full course of antibiotic treatment, some of the symptoms should resolve, but complete symptom resolution is not always possible, especially if the disease has progressed to causing neurological problems.

What Are My Alternatives to Treat Lyme Disease?

There are not many alternatives to TREAT the disease; however, a vaccine for Lyme Disease has recently become available, and prevention of the disease in the first place is extremely important.

Will I Have Pain?

Lyme Disease frequently has arthritic-type pain symptoms associated with it. Antibiotic treatment should help the pain subside once the bacteria are eradicated. Analgesics may be helpful in managing pain.

When Can I Go Back To Work Or School?

This depends wholly on the severity of the disease in the individual patient; in more advanced cases, Lyme Disease has rendered patients unable to work for months at a time.

Who Will Perform My Treatment?

One of our board-certified dermatologists will prescribe the appropriate treatment.

How Much Does It Cost?

Please call TopSurgeons at 800-506-8084 for more information.

Will My Insurance Cover Lyme Disease Treatment?

Insurance should cover this condition and any approved treatments.