Excellus BlueCross BlueShield - Lyme Disease in the Fall? You Bet!

SYRACUSE, NY – Fall is a busy time of year in upstate New York, with loads of reasons to be outdoors. It’s also a busy time of year for the ticks that transmit illnesses including Lyme disease. While most tick bites occur in the summer, it’s possible to get Lyme disease in the fall, especially if the weather is unseasonably warm. 

“Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected deer tick,” says Nicholas Massa, MD, CPC, vice president of medical affairs at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “Untreated, the disease can cause health problems, including painful arthritis, swelling of the joints, and heart and central nervous system problems.”

When the infection is identified early, antibiotic treatment can result in a quick and complete recovery, according to Massa. The big issue, he says, is that Lyme disease often goes undiagnosed, which can lead to chronic symptoms that are hard to resolve.    

Preventing tick bites is the best way to protect against Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. The New York State Department of Health offers these tips: 

Know where to expect ticks.

Ticks prefer shady, moist areas at ground level. They cling to tall grass, brush, and shrubs, usually no more than 18-24 inches off the ground. They also live in lawns and gardens, especially at the tree line. When gardening, keep long hair tied back. When hiking, stick to well-cleared paths.

Reduce ticks in your yard.

Keep lawns mowed and edges trimmed. Clear away brush, leaf debris, and tall grass from around the house and at the edges of gardens and stone walls. Stack woodpiles neatly away from the house, and preferably off the ground. Keep the ground under bird feeders clean so as not to attract small animals that can carry ticks into your yard. Locate children's swing sets and other play equipment in sunny, dry areas of the yard, away from wooded areas.

While outside, dress to protect.

To spot ticks easily, wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave. Wear enclosed shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots, and shirts into pants. Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks.

Consider using repellent.

The NYS Health Department recommends using EPA-registered insect repellents. For skin, products that have DEET (20% or more) or picaridin (5 to 20% of the active ingredient) can be applied. For clothes, shoes, and camping gear, treat, or purchase pretreated clothing with permethrin, but never apply permethrin to skin.

After being outside, check yourself and your clothes.

Do a final, full-body tick check at the end of the day (also check children and pets) and remove ticks promptly. If available, put your clothes in a dryer on high heat for 15 minutes to kill any ticks that may be attached.

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Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a nonprofit health plan with 1.5 million upstate New York members. The company's mission is to help people live healthier and more secure lives through access to high-quality, affordable health care. Its products and services include cost-saving prescription drug discounts, wellness tracking tools and access to telemedicine. With more than 4,200 employees, the company is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce to foster innovation and better serve its members. It also encourages employees to engage in their communities by providing paid volunteer time off as one of many benefits. To learn more, visit ExcellusBCBS.com.