The species of ticks that are known to transmit Lyme Disease have not been identified in Kentucky at this time. The onset of the erythema migrans is usually in 7 to 14 days, but may be as short as 3 days or as long as 30 days. Allergic reactions to tick saliva sometimes occur at the site of a tick bite, but they occur within hours to a few days after the tick bite. They usually do not expand like Lyme disease rash and will disappear within a few days. Once the infection spreads in the body it may be manifested in the nervous system, the musculoskeletal system or the heart.
Some infected individuals have no recognized illness or non-specific symptoms.
Lyme disease is rarely if ever fatal, but some patients develop chronic conditions from their infection. If you develop a rash or other symptoms following a tick bite you should seek medical advice. Tell the medical personnel when you experienced the tick bite and if possible keep the tick for species identification. Treatment and prevention Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics under the direction of a physician. Patients treated in the early stages usually recover rapidly and completely.