UNDERSTANDING LYME DISEASE

Join our mission to raise awareness about Lyme disease, its symptoms, prevention, and how it affects the body at a cellular level. Early detection can make all the difference.

LEARN ABOUT LYME DISEASE
Team working on Lyme disease awareness

OUR MISSION

Beneath The Bite was founded with a clear mission: to provide accurate information about Lyme disease and increase public awareness through education and interactive learning.

Our team works tirelessly to develop resources that help people understand the risks, recognize symptoms, and take preventive measures against Lyme disease.

Through community outreach, educational programs, and innovative digital tools, we aim to reduce the incidence of Lyme disease and improve outcomes for those affected by it.

JOIN OUR CAUSE

LYME 101

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection primarily transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. It can cause a wide range of symptoms and, if left untreated, can affect multiple body systems.

Tick size comparison
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BACTERIAL INFECTION

Caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted through tick bites. These spiral-shaped bacteria can penetrate tissues and evade the immune system, making early detection crucial for effective treatment.

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GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

Most common in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Upper Midwest, and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States, but cases have been reported worldwide, particularly in Europe and Asia.

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TRANSMISSION TIME

A tick typically needs to be attached for 36-48 hours to transmit Lyme disease. During this time, the bacteria multiply in the tick's gut and migrate to its salivary glands, making regular tick checks an important prevention method.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of Lyme disease can vary widely and may appear in stages. Early recognition and treatment are crucial for preventing long-term complications.

Bull's eye rash (Erythema migrans)

EARLY STAGE (3-30 days)

Characteristic "bull's-eye" rash (Erythema migrans) appears in 70-80% of infected people. Other symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headache, and swollen lymph nodes.

Joint pain

EARLY DISSEMINATED STAGE (weeks to months)

Additional rashes, severe headaches, neck stiffness, facial palsy (loss of muscle tone), arthritis with severe joint pain, heart palpitations, and dizziness as bacteria spread through the bloodstream.

Neurological symptoms

LATE STAGE (months to years)

Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, neurological problems such as numbness, cognitive difficulties, memory problems, and persistent fatigue as the infection damages tissues throughout the body. **Fun fact: the lady in this image was bedridden for two years due to lyme disease.**

INSIDE THE BODY

Lyme disease is more than just its visible symptoms. The Borrelia bacteria cause complex changes at the cellular and tissue levels throughout the body.

COOL FACT: BACTERIAL NINJAS!

Did you know that Lyme bacteria are shaped like corkscrews? This spiral shape helps them drill through your tissues like tiny ninja warriors! They can swim through your body fluids and even hide from your immune system by changing their outer "clothes" (surface proteins).

Microscopic view of cells

CELLULAR INVASION & IMMUNE RESPONSE

When Borrelia burgdorferi enters the body through a tick bite, it begins an epic journey through your body:

  • Skin Invasion: After a tick bite, the bacteria start multiplying in your skin, causing that famous bull's-eye rash. It's like they're throwing a bacteria party right under your skin!
  • Bloodstream Adventure: These corkscrew-shaped bacteria can drill through your blood vessels and travel through your bloodstream like they're on a water slide, spreading to different parts of your body.
  • Master of Disguise: The bacteria are like chameleons! They can change their appearance to trick your immune system, making it harder for your body to find and destroy them.
  • Tissue Takeover: These sneaky bacteria can invade your heart, brain, and joints, causing inflammation and damage.

Your body tries to fight back by sending immune cells (like tiny soldiers) to battle the infection, but sometimes the bacteria are just too tricky!

GROSS BUT COOL: BACTERIAL BIOFILMS🧫

Lyme bacteria can create slimy protective shields🛡️ called "biofilms" where they hide together. Think of it like a bacteria fort made of slime that protects them from antibiotics and your immune system. This is one reason why Lyme disease can be hard to treat!

ORGAN SYSTEM EFFECTS

As the infection continues, the bacteria can affect different parts of your body:

  • Joints🦴: The bacteria can make your joints swell up and hurt, like having a tiny bacterial dance party in your knees or elbows. Ouch!
  • Brain and Nerves🧠: These bacteria can sneak past the special barrier that protects your brain and cause inflammation. This is why some people with Lyme disease have trouble thinking clearly or feel tingling in their hands and feet.
  • Heart❤️: Lyme bacteria can invade your heart tissue and mess with its normal beating pattern. It's like they're trying to DJ your heartbeat, but they're terrible at it!
  • Stealth Mode⚔️: Sometimes the bacteria🦠 can go into "hibernation" mode where they barely move or grow. This makes them super hard for medicines to find and kill - sneaky!

Understanding how these bacteria work helps scientists develop better ways to detect and treat Lyme disease. Early treatment is super important before these bacteria can spread throughout your body!

Medical research
Bacterial flagella movement

AMAZING FACT: BACTERIAL PROPELLERS!

Lyme bacteria have special flagella that work like tiny propellers! These whip-like structures help the bacteria swim through your body fluids at incredible speeds. They can spin these flagella up to 1,000 times per second - that's faster than a race car engine!

PREVENTION

The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid tick bites. Here are some essential prevention strategies to keep in mind.

Protective clothing

DRESS PROTECTIVELY

Wear long sleeves, long pants tucked into socks, and closed-toe shoes when in wooded or grassy areas. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks before they attach to your skin.

Insect repellent

USE REPELLENTS

Apply EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535. Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin for additional protection.

Tick check

CHECK FOR TICKS

Conduct a full-body tick check after being outdoors. Pay special attention to armpits, scalp, and groin areas. Shower within two hours of coming indoors to wash off unattached ticks.

TICK-SAFE GEAR

DRESS SAFELY FOR TICK-PRONE AREAS

Proper clothing is your first line of defense against tick bites. Select appropriate clothing items to protect yourself when outdoors. Choose wisely to minimize your risk of tick bites and Lyme disease.

HEADWEAR

WIDE-BRIMMED HAT

SUNGLASSES

TOPS

LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT

T-SHIRT

BOTTOMS

LONG PANTS

SHORTS

FOOTWEAR

CLOSED BOOTS

SANDALS

HOW TO PLAY:

Click on clothing items to select them for your outdoor adventure. Try to choose items that will provide the best protection against ticks. Once you've made your selections, click "CHECK MY OUTFIT" to see how well protected you would be.

Remember: Light-colored, long-sleeved shirts, long pants tucked into socks or boots, and closed-toe shoes provide the best protection in tick-prone areas.

FAMOUS CASES

Celebrity with Lyme Disease

DID YOU KNOW?

In January 2020, global pop star Justin Bieber revealed that he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease. The singer shared that he had been struggling with unexplained health issues for years before receiving his diagnosis.

Bieber described experiencing symptoms including extreme fatigue, brain fog, and physical weakness that affected his ability to perform and his overall quality of life. His public disclosure helped raise awareness about Lyme disease and its often misunderstood symptoms.

Like many Lyme disease patients, Bieber faced challenges with diagnosis and treatment. His openness about his condition has helped reduce stigma and encouraged others to seek proper medical attention for similar symptoms.

"Guess they wanted a piece of that Yummy"

Other celebrities who have battled Lyme disease include Avril Lavigne, Bella Hadid, Shania Twain, and Alec Baldwin. Their stories highlight how this disease can affect anyone, regardless of their lifestyle or resources.

PLAY & LEARN

Learning about Lyme disease can be fun and engaging. Try our interactive games to test your knowledge and improve your awareness about ticks and Lyme disease prevention.

FIND AND REMOVE THE TICKS!

HOW TO PLAY:

Click on the ticks as they appear in the scene. Try to find them all before time runs out!

Score: 0
Time: 30s

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: LYME DISEASE QUIZ

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MEET THE TEAM

Our dedicated team brings together expertise from healthcare education and patient advocacy to create comprehensive resources on Lyme disease awareness.

Faria Rahmani

FARIA RAHMANI

CO-FOUNDER

A fourth-year student at the University of Toronto Scarborough, double majoring in Human Biology and Molecular Biology, Immunology, and Disease, with a minor in Psychology. She co-founded Beneath the Bite to raise awareness about the impact of insect-borne diseases and to create content that's grounded, engaging, and easy to understand. As a first-generation Afghan-Canadian student, she's passionate about making science feel more inclusive and reflective of the people it's meant to serve.

Gabrielle La Paz

GABRIELLE LA PAZ

CO-FOUNDER

A fourth-year student at the University of Toronto Scarborough, double majoring in Health Studies and Human Biology. She co-founded Beneath the Bite to make health education more inclusive and accessible, especially for communities that are often overlooked. As a first-generation Filipino-Canadian student, As a first-generation Filipino-Canadian student, she is passionate about highlighting how diseases like Lyme don’t just exist in textbooks, they affect real people and everyday lives, making science all the more important to understand and share with the general public and youth.

CONTACT

Have questions about Lyme disease or interested in supporting our initiative? We'd love to hear from you!

beneaththebite@gmail.com