Lyme Disease Treatments Springfield MA

Find top doctors who perform Lyme Disease Treatments in Springfield, MA. Whether you’re seeking treatment or looking to schedule a preventative screening, we can connect you with the best dermatologists near you in Springfield, MA.

Local Businesses

Lyme Disease Treatments FAQ in Springfield, MA

Where does Lyme disease come from?

Lyme disease is an illness caused by borrelia bacteria. Humans usually get Lyme disease from the bite of a tick carrying the bacteria. Ticks that can carry borrelia bacteria live throughout most of the United States. But Lyme disease is most common in the upper Midwest and the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states.

Can Lyme cause death?

If it lands in the heart, it can cause disturbances in cardiac conduction — arrhythmias or even complete heart block; cardiac Lyme disease can lead to death if not detected and treated early.

What does Lyme disease do to your organs?

Lyme disease can affect the heart. This can lead to an irregular heart rhythm, which can cause dizziness or heart palpitations. It can also spread to the nervous system, causing facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy) or meningitis. The last stage of Lyme disease happens if the early stages weren’t found or treated.

Can you get rid of Lyme disease?

Although most cases of Lyme disease can be cured with a 2- to 4-week course of oral antibiotics, patients can sometimes have symptoms of pain, fatigue, or difficulty thinking that lasts for more than 6 months after they finish treatment. This condition is called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).

How many days should you take doxycycline for Lyme disease?

Doxycycline is given for 10 to 21 days, and amoxicillin and cefuroxime are given for 14 to 21 days. Antibiotics prevent worsening of the disease and may decrease the duration and severity of symptoms. (See “Musculoskeletal manifestations of Lyme disease”.)

What does Lyme disease do to a person?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection you get from the bite of an infected tick. At first, Lyme disease usually causes symptoms such as a rash, fever, headache, and fatigue. But if it is not treated early, the infection can spread to your joints, heart, and nervous system. Prompt treatment can help you recover quickly.

What does Stage 2 Lyme disease look like?

Symptoms of early disseminated Lyme disease (Stage 2) may occur weeks to months after the tick bite, and may include: Numbness or pain in the distribution of a nerve. Paralysis or weakness in the muscles of the face, especially a facial nerve palsy. Meningitis, characterized by severe headache, stiff neck, fever.

What does a lymes rash look like?

The most common early sign of Lyme disease is a skin rash that has a “bull’s eye” appearance. It begins as a reddened area near the tick bite. As the rash increases in size, it clears in the middle and develops a red ring around the outside.

How does a doctor tell if you have Lyme disease?

A doctor will test your blood for antibodies that are trying to fight the bacteria in your blood. One of these tests is called the ELISA test, and you’ll often have a second test called the Western blot test to confirm you have Lyme disease.

How does your body feel when you have Lyme disease?

Untreated Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms, depending on the stage of infection. These include fever, rash, facial paralysis, and arthritis. The appearance of the erythema migrans rash can vary widely. Erythema migrans (EM) rash (see photos):

What are 4 late symptoms of Lyme disease?

Symptoms of late stage Lyme disease Facial palsy, also known as Bell’s palsy – paralysis of one side of the face. Arthritis or joint pain and swelling, especially of large joints (such as the knee) Intermittent tendon, muscle, joint, nerve, or bone pain. Heart palpitations or arrhythmia.

Does Lyme disease show up in blood work years later?

These antibodies can persist long after the infection is gone. This means that if your blood tests positive, then it will likely continue to test positive for months or even years even though the bacteria are no longer present.

Is Lyme disease a terminal illness?

Although Lyme disease is rarely life-threatening, delayed treatment can result in more severe disease. People who notice a characteristic rash or other possible symptoms, should consult their healthcare provider.