Lyme Disease in Fall

By Kyra Kaczmarczik, MD

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, commonly known as deer ticks. While many people associate tick bites and Lyme disease with the spring and summer months, it’s crucial to remain vigilant in the fall. 

Lyme disease can present as a wide range of symptoms, which often makes it challenging to diagnose early. One of the hallmark signs of early Lyme disease is a rash called erythema migrans, which appears at the site of the tick bite. This rash often looks like a bullseye: a red circular patch with a clear center that gradually expands over several days. However, not everyone with Lyme disease develops this rash, and it may appear differently in some individuals.

Other early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and swollen lymph nodes. If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress to more severe symptoms, including severe headaches, neck stiffness, additional rashes, arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling (particularly in the knees) or facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face).

Given the wide range of potential symptoms and their overlap with other conditions, it is important to consult a healthcare provider if you suspect you may have been bitten by a tick or if you experience any unusual symptoms, particularly after spending time outdoors in tick-prone areas.

A common misconception is that Lyme disease is only a concern in the spring and summer. However, ticks remain active well into the fall, especially in areas with mild temperatures. In fact, adult black-legged ticks, which are primarily responsible for transmitting Lyme disease, are most active during the fall months. This increased activity occurs because the cooler fall temperatures are ideal for adult ticks to search for hosts. As leaves begin to fall and people spend time outdoors hiking, raking leaves or engaging in other outdoor activities, the risk of encountering ticks remains high. 

Preventing Lyme disease involves a combination of personal protective measures and environmental management. Here are some effective strategies to reduce the risk of tick bites during the fall:

1. Wear Protective Clothing: When spending time in wooded or grassy areas, wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Light-colored clothing can help you spot ticks more easily.
2. Use Tick Repellents: Apply insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin and clothing. You can also treat clothing and gear with permethrin, an insecticide that repels and kills ticks on contact.
3. Perform Regular Tick Checks: After spending time outdoors, thoroughly check your body, clothing and pets for ticks. Pay particular attention to areas where ticks are likely to attach, such as behind the knees, under the arms, around the waist, behind the ears and in the hairline.
4. Manage Your Environment: Keep your yard tick-free by regularly mowing the lawn, removing leaf litter, and creating a barrier of wood chips or gravel between your yard and wooded areas. This can help reduce tick habitats near your home.
5. Shower After Outdoor Activities: Taking a shower within two hours of coming indoors can help wash off unattached ticks and provides a good opportunity to do a thorough tick check.

While the fall season brings cooler weather and beautiful foliage, it also poses a continued risk for Lyme disease. Awareness of the symptoms, understanding the ongoing risk of tick exposure, and maintaining preventive practices are essential to reduce the risk of Lyme disease. Don’t be fooled by the changing seasons; ticks are still active, and your vigilance is key to staying healthy.

Dr. Kaczmarczik is a physician at Allina Health United Family Physicians, 233 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, 55102, 651-241-5200