All around the world, May is recognized as Lyme Disease Awareness month. But for hundreds of thousands of patients, it is something that they struggle to make sense of every day. It is something that tears families apart at the seams. It keeps medical providers at odds with one another. And it is something that keeps researchers and scientists busy with new species of ticks, new strains of disease and validation of new forms of transmissions. Information and sharing of data, products and services by our Community Partners is something that we, Midcoast Lyme Disease Support & Education (MLDSE), share all year long.

We are busy year-round helping patients and their families that have been affected by tick-borne disease. We are here to share truths as well as dispel myths and outdated information. Teaching people the proper ways of prevention as well as how repellents work, connecting patients to much needed resources and hosting free prevention talks to groups of all ages and sizes.

Prevention is key to staying tick free. This is my mantra ~ wear tick repellent, treat your clothing with Permethrin and do your tick check when you come from outdoors! [REPEAT]

If you have been bitten, test that tick!

Do not throw away a tick once you remove it. Send it off to be tested to know what you have been exposed to. If you have a tick removed at the ER or in your doctor’s office, do not let them throw it away. They do not have the ability or resources to test any ticks in their office and therefore can not tell you if the tick is or is not carrying any disease(s). That’s right, ticks can carry more than one disease. On our website, you will find information and instructions about getting a tick tested.

Why?

To know what you have potentially been exposed to. Exposure does not guarantee infection but it's a strong starting point of where to look should you become symptomatic.

Why?

✔ Because there are 15 different species of ticks here in Maine

✔ Because ticks carry more than Lyme disease

✔ Because different tick-borne diseases require different testing

✔ Because different tick-borne diseases require different treatment

✔ Because co-infections (having more than one tick-borne infection) complicate testing and treatment

✔ Because not all patients present with the same symptoms (the absence of a bullseye rash is not necessarily the absence of infection)

✔ Because bloodwork is not always reliable but testing the tick is (99.9998%)

✔ Because tick-borne infection can range from acute to chronic to late stage and treatment is not one size fits all.

Note: Not all medical providers are knowledgeable or experienced in diagnosing and effectively treating patients with acute/chronic tick-borne disease. But we are networked with over 300 experts in the field of tick-borne disease.

Educators, Advocates, Counselors and Patients. We wear many hats and provide many services. Whatever your needs are, we can help. Visit our website www.mldse.org for more information about ticks, tick-borne disease education, referrals and/or support. Follow us on Facebook for daily educational posts. We are here to help!