Treatment Tips For Lyme Disease

Risk factors for Lyme disease include walking in high grasses, taking place in activities that increase tick exposure, and having a pet that may carry ticks home. Lyme arthritis which is antibiotic resistant may be treated with hydroxychloroquine or methotrexate. Antibiotic treatment is the central pillar in the management of Lyme disease. Traditional treatment of acute Lyme disease usually consists of a minimum two-week to one-month course of antibiotics. Doxycycline - bacteriostatic properties stops synthesis of bacteria replication. Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis.

Amoxicillin - bacteriostatic properties do not kill bacterium, but do halt bacterial growth by inhibition of cell wall synthesis. Ceftriaxone - (intravenous therapy) bactericidal properties kill bacterium. Wear a hat and a long-sleeved shirt for added protection. Wear light-colored clothing so that ticks can be spotted more easily. Wash all clothes after leaving tick-infested areas, and bathe and shampoo your child thoroughly to eliminate any unseen ticks.

Lyme Disease Treatment Tips:

• Oral antibiotics -usually doxycycline for adults and children older than 8.
• Use repellents only in small amounts, avoiding unnecessary repeat application.
• Try to reduce the use of repellents by dressing in long sleeves and pants tucked into socks or boots.
• Do not apply near eyes, nose or mouth and use sparingly around ears. Do not apply to the hands of small children.
• Use an insect repellent containing deep or permethrin.
• Apply deep sparingly to skin according to directions on the label.
• Apply repellents according to label instructions. Applying directly to clothing appears to be most effective.
• Avoid plantings that especially attract deer and other animals.