“On Monday night it had a dark ring and there was a black spot in the middle of it,” said Mark Cole.
Cole thinks his wife got bit by a tick while working in their yard on Monday. While it’s not yet confirmed if she has Lyme Disease, Cole says there’s no doubt in his mind that his wife has it.
“She’s got all the signs,” says Cole. “She’s got the welt, the ring, body aches, soreness, sick, sleeps all the time.”
Melita Finney is the community health director at the Hancock County Health Department and says deer ticks are common in this area. Those are the ticks that carry Lyme Disease.
“Ticks really come from weeds that are tall or brushy areas,” said Finney. “That’s why they always say that when you’re going out to a forest area or even in your yard you want to take certain precautions to protect yourself.”
That includes wearing a long sleeved shirt and long pants tucked into your socks. Experts also recommend wearing insect repellent with DEET.
“That’s important and you can actually spray that on your clothes and on your skin but be careful with children and not put too much on,” said Finney. “You might want to check with your doctor about what to do about your kids.”
Meanwhile, Cole says he has a message for others.
“Check yourself every time you come in the house,” said Cole. “Check your kids constantly, especially if they’re out running and playing in the yard.”
Cole says his wife is getting tested for Lyme Disease on Monday. If Lyme Disease isn’t treated, it could cause heart problems, memory loss and arthritis; just to name a few.
