By Stephanie Grinnell

Staff Writer

Spring and early summer are the times Mainers need to be most vigilant about blacklegged ticks, more commonly known as deer ticks, which carry Lyme disease. 

Maine State Epidemiologist Kathleen Gensheimer said the best thing people can do to avoid being bitten by any type of tick is to wear long sleeved, light colored clothing in addition to using an insect repellent as directed by the manufacturer. Southern Maine Medical Center Vice President of Affairs Frank Lavoie said light-colored clothing makes the ticks easier to spot, decreasing the need for excessive clothing during summer months. Insect repellant with DEET is most effective and may be sprayed on clothing, particularly socks and shoes, Lavoie said. 

York and Cumberland counties used to be areas most affected by Lyme disease, Gensheimer said. Now, the insects and the disease can be found nearly everywhere in the state. 

“We’ve really seen a dramatic increase in the reports of Lyme disease in the state. We had over 500 last year,” she said. “It is spreading throughout the state.”

Lavoie said SMMC has also noticed an increase during the past several years.

“Lyme disease became more prevalent in Maine several years ago as the infected deer tick moved north from southern New England, particularly along the eastern side of I-95,” he said.

Deer tick nymphs, which are the size of a poppy seed, are partial to wooded areas, Gensheimer said. The nymphs attach to humans and feed on blood but not all deer ticks carry Lyme disease. Gensheimer said a nymph infected with Lyme disease must be attached to a human host for 36 to 72 hours to transmit Lyme disease. She said even an engorged deer tick can be difficult to spot.

Gensheimer said larger dog ticks, also common in southern Maine, do not carry Lyme disease. Dog ticks are brown and about the size of an apple seed and can swell to the size of a marble when engorged. 

Often, people don’t notice they have nymphs attached because they are located in an area on the body people don’t normally check or see easily, like the lower backside, Gensheimer said.

If the tick nymph isn’t spotted while still attached, the first sign of Lyme disease in 70 percent of cases is an expanding skin rash, she said. 

Other symptoms of Lyme disease, such as headache, fatigue or flu-like symptoms, can be easily confused with other more common ailments, Gensheimer said. 

Treatment of Lyme disease involves a 10-day to two-week course of antibiotics, Gensheimer said. People who suspect they have been bitten by a deer tick and show symptoms of a rash should see their doctor, who can determine the need for antibiotic treatment, she said.

Gensheimer said antibiotics are not given to people who have been bitten by ticks but are not showing symptoms.

 Lyme disease is named after Lyme, Conn., where a cluster of pediatric arthritis was discovered in 1975, and previously known as Lyme arthritis, according to Maine’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.

Lyme disease, if left untreated, can lead to neurological and cardiac problems as well as severe fatigue.

Outdoor pets are offered some protection through prevention measures such a flea and tick deterrents. 

Currently, there is no human vaccine for the disease and people may be repeatedly infected if prevention steps are not taken. Gensheimer said the disease is easily treatable but the best thing is prevention. 

“Lyme disease is not chronic, however, if left untreated, it can be difficult to treat with oral antibiotics and can lead to chronic conditions, such as chronic arthritis or chronic fatigue syndrome,” Lavoie said.

The state’s Department of Health and Human services Web site says there have been no known deaths from Lyme disease in the state, however, according to published reports, the family of Stephen Pallotta, 36, of Scarborough, has claimed Lyme disease, in part, was the cause of his April 13 death. 

For more information about Lyme disease, visit the Maine CDC Web site at www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/lyme_history.htm.