Did you ever watch that show Myth Busters? Two guys Adam and Jamie would take myths or urban legends submitted by the audience. They would set up testing to determine if the claim could be proven or busted and have a lot of fun. I wish we had a team to bust all the Lyme myths. A group of scientists who could give us all the facts and reason to smile if not laugh. Lyme has two teams with opposing views, the IDSA and Ilads. They don’t agree on most things, so how do you know?
Because of two opposing approaches and the complexity of tick-borne infection, confusion, misinformation, and Lyme myths are rampant. We need to do some myth-busting research on our own, because all this misinformation makes Lyme tougher to prevent and treat. It sends people on a desperate information hunt full of mysteries and dead ends. Getting an accurate diagnosis and finding effective treatment can take years. It makes me crazy.
The # 1 Lyme myth that most yanks my chain is that if a doctor says you don’t have Lyme, you don’t. I believed this one and I went untreated for a long time because of it. There is just a lot of unhelpful info out there about Lyme disease in particular and tick-borne illnesses in general. If you don’t feel right find a doctor who will help you get to the cause.
Lyme Myths
The misinformation out there stems in part from a full understanding of how this illness is transmitted, manifests, and treated. Everyone is doing the best they can with the information they have, but people are falling through the cracks, developing chronic immune dysfunction, living and dying in misery. A lot of people are sick, we need to do better.
How you get Lyme
People know when they have been bitten – Busted.
Ticks head for hidden creases and numb the bite site to prevent detection. That is why you need to address symptoms with your doctor.
Mosquitoes transmit Lyme – Not proven, under investigation.
There is data to show mosquitoes carry the bacteria and much argument on whether it can be transmitted from a mosquito to a person. Mosquitoes carry other infectious pathogens in addition to borellia. Protect yourself.
Lyme is an STD – Unproven but likely.
Many sources say yes, others no. There is data to support that a healthy tick who bites a person with chronic Lyme disease becomes a carrier. Be safe and use protection.
Mothers can give it to their babies – Unproven but likely.
Lyme may be transmitted from Mother to child during pregnancy and breastfeeding.. This has not been validated scientifically, but breastfeeding is not generally recommended for a mom sick with Lyme disease.
Tick bites only happen in the woods. – Busted.
Ticks partially feed on and travel with small mammals, especially in the nymph stage, so that means a tick can bite you anywhere critters live, and the habitat supports them.
Tick Bites Only Happen in the Summer – Busted.
Ticks are active all year long. Bite rates go up from May through October due to the life cycle, tick population increases, and more people out and about in tick habitat.
How you detect Lyme
Bull’s Eye required for Lyme – Busted
Only about 30% of people who get Lyme get the rash. Sometimes a rash is mistaken for a spider bite and no treatment is ordered. A rash should trigger you to see a doctor and take action.
Positive Blood Test Result – Busted.
Both the Elyssa Assay and the Western Blot for Lyme suffer from inaccuracy and false negative results. Also, interpreting the Western Blot for Lyme varies greatly on what constitutes a positive result.
No Such Thing as Chronic Lyme – Status Unproven
According to the IDSA, the CDC and others chronic Lyme does not exist. (I believe it does.) Yet there are studies indicate that Lyme can persist in the body for a long time undetected and can also survive antibiotic treatment. More information is pointing to tick-borne infections as a contributing factor in chronic immune dysfunction and autoimmunity.
A big part of me says who cares what you call this. Many people get Lyme disease and are sick for the rest of their lives. The focus needs to shift to providing real help for these people to regain access to a full quality of life.
All the Lyme Myths Aside Self-Care Is Helpful
Self- care is a fundamental part of prevention and healing. Prioritize tick bite prevention. Tick bite prevention measures will minimize you and your families chance of a bite and potential infection. Self-care in the form of high nutrient dense eating, low toxicity living, regular movement, and restful sleep will support a healthier immune system response to exposure.
Lyme disease already part of your life? Rebuild wellness while you bust through the Lyme myths on your road to recovery. I know if you have Lyme and do nothing, you get sicker over time. With Lyme disease, information is power, get tested, get treated, get better.
The purpose of this blog is to share and educate on Lyme disease recovery strategies. The information provided here is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment or advice. All the material is for information purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.