Taking down Lyme disease

A new vaccine is in the final stages of clinical trials.

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IN a nutshell Summer might be on its way out, but tick season is still alive and well (peak tick time usually runs from April-October). More ticks means higher risk of contracting Lyme disease, an infection most commonly caused by tick bites. Today we're examining a new weapon against Lyme disease, along with some other interesting health trends. Here's what's coming up: • an exciting Lyme disease vaccine update • insect-repelling socks • more young people are getting vasectomies • other health stories you need Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota September 19, 2022 • 4 min read

what's got us buzzing We're close to getting a vaccine for Lyme disease Tick-borne illnesses are no joke – trust me, someone who's had both Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Recap: Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is most commonly spread by tick bites. Symptoms include rash, fatigue, joint pain, headache, and fever, and while it can be treated with antibiotics, many experience long-term effects. Cases of Lyme disease have been rapidly rising (up 350+ percent since 2007). But medical professionals are hopeful a new vaccine will soon be on the market to quell the spread. Created by biotech companies Valneva and Pfizer, the VLA15 vaccine is finally in the third and final phase of human study. The results seem promising so far, but it could take years until it's approved for public use. According to Valneza and Pfizer, they are expecting to request official authorization in 2025. Until you can get your hands on a Lyme disease vax, you can take other precautions to protect yourself from ticks. Try using insect repellant (scroll down for an innovative option!), wearing tall light colored socks when hiking, avoiding woodsy or grassy areas where ticks like to hang out, and protecting your fur babies with anti-tick meds. If you get bit? Follow these steps to remove the tick, pop the tick in a plastic bag (this can aid in diagnosing potential disease), and schedule a doctor's appointment if you notice any symptoms. tl;dr: Ticks carry infectious diseases like Lyme disease, which has been on the rise over the last 15 years. The new Lyme disease vaccine VLA15 is in the third phase of a clinical trial among humans, but it could take until 2025 for us to see it on the market. In the meantime, protect yourself and your outdoor-loving pets with these tick repellent strategies or follow these steps after a tick bite.

great finds Products we love       Insect Shield Lightweight Hiker Socks Next time you go for a hike or trek outside, protect yourself from creepy crawlers and dangerous diseases by slipping on some bug repellent socks from Insect Shield. This particular pair is the lightweight hiker sock, but there are a bunch of other permethrin-treated apparel options, too (kids' sport crew, traveler sock, shirts, etc.). These comfy socks feature EPA-Registered technology that tells the following bugs to bug off: mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers, and midges. And unlike most bug sprays, Insect Shield socks are odorless and don't leave a sticky residue on your skin. The repellant even lasts for up to 70 washes! Shop now

Monday Trend Watch More young people are getting vasectomies Just a decade ago, vasectomies were hush-hush. Today, the #vasectomy and #snipsniphooray hashtags on Instagram score millions of views and celebratory comments. Why? Well, the times are changing, the stigma is breaking, and more young folks are getting snipped as a result. According to The New York Times, vasectomies are gaining popularity, especially among younger, child-free men. While urologists don't agree on a single reason, the theory is concerns over climate change, global violence, financial issues, and – most notably – the United States Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and its impact on abortion and birth control access have inspired the increase in appointments. Have you or a loved one been thinking about getting snipped? Or are you just curious about what this surgery entails? Check out our article all about vasectomies to learn more, including what the procedure is like, how effective it is, health perks, risks, how long it takes to recover, and more.

Health Hype Are there any effective at-home acne treatments? (Find the answer at the end of this email)

health stories you need What we're reading next Mexican foods to try for better health. Love Mexican food? Us, too. From chiles and beans to chia seeds, you'll definitely want to try eating these 10 nutrition-packed ingredients more often. Medication for cramps. Whether you've got menstrual cramps or muscle cramps, they're a literal pain in the you-know-what. Here are the best meds to try next time you're cramping up. Willing to swap 30 minutes of social media for exercise? Doing this every day might just boost your physical and mental health, even if you only do it for two weeks. Learn more here.

Health Hype Answer Are there any effective at-home acne treatments? Yes! You don't need to run to the dermatologist's office for a prescription whenever pimples pop up. There are tons of DIY remedies that work from the comfort of your own home. Depending on the type of acne you're dealing with and your unique skin type, you can try OTC ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, green tea extract, or tea tree oil. To learn more about the different types of acne and how you can treat 'em, check out our Definitive Guide to Acne.

Thanks for reading! We'll be back with more great stories on Wednesday. Feel free to share your thoughts with us at wellnesswire@healthline.com. See you soon!

Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!     This edition was powered by much-needed rest during the much-needed weekend.   View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy    |    Unsubscribe © 2022 Healthline Media 1423 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707