If a tick is discovered attached to the skin, it should be pulled out gently with tweezers, taking care not to squeeze the tick's body. An antiseptic should then be applied to the bite. Studies by NIH-supported researchers suggest that a tick must be attached for at least 48 hours to transmit the Lyme disease bacterium, so prompt tick removal could prevent the disease. The risk of developing Lyme disease from a tick bite is small, even in heavily infested areas, and most physicians prefer not to treat patients bitten by ticks with antibiotics unless they develop symptoms of Lyme disease. Because Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose and sometimes does not respond to treatment, researchers are trying to create a vaccine that will protect people from the disorder.
Vaccines work in part by prompting the body to generate antibodies.
Once antibodies attach to an invading microbe, other immune defenses are evoked to destroy it. Development of an effective vaccine for Lyme disease has been difficult for a number of reasons. Scientists need to find out how the immune system protects against the bacterium. Tips for Personal Protection Avoid tick-infested areas, especially in May, June, and July. Wear light-colored clothing so that ticks can be easily spotted.