At last, winter is over! Time to dust off the hiking shoes and get outside! But before we embark upon our outdoor activities, we should exercise caution. Maryland has one of the highest rates of Lyme disease in the country. And spring can be a particularly dangerous time for insect-born illnesses such as Lyme, as ticks become active when the temperatures rise above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. During the spring and early summer, tick nymphs end their dormancy and begin to seek a host, and most cases of Lyme disease are reported from May through August. To avoid getting bitten by deer ticks, take the following precautions:
•Stay out of tall grass and un-cleared areas.
•Don’t crawl or roll in leaves.
•Low risk areas include athletic fields and cut lawns.
•After outdoor activities, inspect the entire body for ticks.
•When spending time in wooded areas, use an EPA registered insect repellent.
•Wear protective clothing.
•Avoid going barefoot in exposure areas.
If you suspect you have been bitten, it’s important to seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t see the oft-referred to “bullseye rash.” Catching Lyme in it’s earliest stages and administering the standard antibiotic treatment during this time is crucial for preventing chronic infection. Once an infection is present long-term, it can be difficult to treat using conventional methods.
But if you do find yourself or someone you love with a chronic infection, don’t despair! Fortunately, acupuncture and Chinese herbs are very effective treatments for chronic Lyme. By using extremely nuanced strategies to extract toxins from the body, while at the same time strengthening the immune system and the body’s natural ability to heal itself, Chinese medicine provides a safe, natural, and effective way to heal from what can otherwise be a debilitating condition.
Be safe, have fun, and enjoy the spring!
