Lyme Disease Treatments Litchfield Park AZ

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

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Lyme Disease Treatments FAQ in Litchfield Park, AZ

What kills Lyme disease?

People treated with antibiotics for early Lyme disease usually recover rapidly and completely. The antibiotics most commonly used to treat Lyme disease include: doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil. Some patients may have persistent or recurrent symptoms and may require another course of antibiotics.

Can you get Lyme disease twice?

Yes, you can get Lyme disease twice – or more. This is different from being newly infected by other tick-borne illnesses, such as Ehrlichia or Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, which can present with Lyme-like symptoms but are actually caused by different bacteria than the Lyme disease bacteria.

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 recover from Lyme disease on your own?

It’s certainly possible for people to get Lyme disease and to clear the infection on their own, without treatment, said Dr. Kuritzkes. “But it’s better to be treated because some of the complications—like arthritis and myocarditis and damage to the central nervous system—can be very serious,” Dr. Kuritzkes said.

Is Lyme disease serious if caught early?

If diagnosed in the early stages, Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotics. Without treatment, complications involving the joints, heart, and nervous system can occur. But these symptoms are still treatable and curable.

What type of victim is usually affected by Lyme disease?

Lyme disease can affect people of any age. People who spend time outdoors in activities such as camping, hiking, golfing, or working or playing in grassy and wooded environments are at increased risk of exposure. The chances of being bitten by a deer tick are greater during times of the year when ticks are most active.

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.

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”.)

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.

Should I be worried if I have Lyme disease?

Untreated, Lyme disease can spread through the body, affecting the heart, joints and nervous system. As a bacterial infection, Lyme disease is frequently treated with antibiotic medication such as doxycycline or amoxicillin.

How soon do you need antibiotics after a tick bite?

Prophylaxis can be started within 72 hours of tick removal. The patient has no contraindication to doxycycline.