When Should You Worry About Ticks in Your Neighborhood? Ticks in your neighborhood may pose a risk beyond the summer months—and even in places you consider safe, like parks and walkways. A study examining tick exposure in “built environments” such as college campuses, parks, and playgrounds found significant numbers of infected ticks in areas with […]

Lyme Disease Vision Loss: Optic Neuritis in a 46-Year-Old Woman SUDDEN VISION LOSS? BLURRED VISION GETTING WORSE? COULD LYME DISEASE AFFECT THE OPTIC NERVE? Lyme disease vision loss can occur when infection affects the optic nerve—a rare but serious neurologic complication known as optic neuritis. “My vision kept getting worse—and no one knew why.” This

Are We Dismissing Lyme Disease in Children? Recommendations for managing Lyme disease in children may underestimate the seriousness of persistent symptoms—particularly when treatment options are limited to symptom management alone. Neuropsychiatric manifestations of Lyme disease in children can be complex and, at times, dramatic. “Case reports of neuropsychological manifestations of Lyme disease include Alice in

How Concerned Are People About Tick Bites and Tick-Borne Diseases? Public concern about tick bites varies widely—ranging from high anxiety to complete underestimation of risk. A study published in PLoS One found that 43% of respondents considered tick bites a “large or very large risk” to their health or their family’s health. Interestingly, this perceived

Long-Term Problems in Lyme Neuroborreliosis: What Studies Show Long-term problems in Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) may be less severe at a population level—but individual patients can still experience meaningful declines in health and function. A large European study examined long-term survival, health, education, and social outcomes in patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis. Overall, the authors found no

6 Reasons for Delayed Treatment of Lyme Disease Delayed treatment of Lyme disease can lead to more severe symptoms and prolonged illness—yet many delays are preventable. Patients with recurrent Lyme disease and Lyme encephalopathy have reported waiting an average of two years before receiving treatment. A qualitative study by Hirsch and colleagues identified key reasons

Pediatric Lyme Disease in Pennsylvania: Rising Cases and Changing Patterns Cases are increasing rapidly Urban areas are now affected Children are at significant risk Symptoms can vary widely Pediatric Lyme disease in Pennsylvania is rising—and spreading beyond rural areas. New research shows an exponential increase in cases among children, with shifting patterns that affect both

Impact of Lyme Disease on Work and Caregiving Lyme disease can significantly disrupt a patient’s ability to work and care for others—sometimes even before diagnosis and, in some cases, long after treatment. A qualitative study by Hirsch and colleagues highlights how Lyme disease affects daily functioning, productivity, and caregiving roles. Loss of Function Before and

Bell’s Palsy and Lyme Disease: Why Steroids May Do More Harm Than Good Should steroids be used for Bell’s palsy? In typical cases, yes—but when Bell’s palsy is caused by Lyme disease, corticosteroids may increase the risk of long-term nerve damage. By Dr. Daniel Cameron Key Insight: Facial paralysis caused by Lyme disease is an