Here’s an easy way to help get the word out about Lyme disease. Costs nothing, and virtually anyone can do it. Write a letter to the editor of your local small-to-medium sized paper. (Unfortunately, it’s harder to get them printed in really big newspapers, like the Los Angeles Times or the Washington Post. But smaller papers typically are looking for that local touch.)

Here’s an easy way to help get the word out about Lyme disease. Costs nothing, and virtually anyone can do it. Write a letter to the editor of your local small-to-medium sized paper. (Unfortunately, it’s harder to get them printed in really big newspapers, like the Los Angeles Times or the Washington Post. But smaller papers typically are looking for that local touch.)

I recently took advantage of a good opportunity in my local paper, the Davis Enterprise. Here’s how it went down. Somebody I didn’t know wrote a letter advising people to beware of ticks which might carry Lyme disease. A few days later, another letter writer scoffed at the first one, saying essentially that there are no such ticks in our area.

Then I submitted the following letter, which was printed today:

Take measures to avoid ticks

Re: ‘Valley ticks don’t transmit Lyme’ (Letter, May 15): The letter writer implies that the primary carrier of Lyme disease, the western black-legged tick, is found in only a few places around California. Not true.

In fact, they’ve been found in 56 of California’s 58 counties, including Yolo. Since ticks can hitch rides on rodents, deer, squirrels, birds and even family pets, they do get around. They’ve been found in urban parks and gardens as well as more rural hiking and camping areas.

A recent study in the Bay Area’s Tilden Park found a large number of nymphal (immature) ticks on the underside of wooden picnic tables and benches. (Both nymphs and adult ticks can transmit disease.)

Lyme disease can result in long-term health consequences, including neurological problems, crippling muscle and joint pain, disabling fatigue and psychological disorders.

The best strategy regarding Lyme disease is to avoid getting it in the first place. Take measures to avoid ticks, such as wearing long pants and long sleeves when hiking where ticks might be. Check yourself and your children for ticks after spending time outdoors. If you find one attached, pull it out carefully with tweezers held close to the skin. (More information about preventing tick exposure and removing attached ticks at https://www.lymedisease.org.)

Dorothy Kupcha Leland
California Lyme Disease Association, Davis

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Want to write your own letter? Here are some suggestions.

Keep a positive tone. Do you notice that I didn’t attack the previous letter writer, even though I don’t agree with him?

Back up what you say with facts. Around here, people are often quite surprised to find out that the ticks that carry Lyme disease have been found in almost every county. That information comes directly from the California Department of Public Health. When possible, use data from state officials or the Centers for Disease Control.

Keep it short and sweet. Many newspapers impose a 250-word limit on letters to the editor. Mine came in at 211. This isn’t the time or place to tell chapter and verse of your personal story—unless you can do it within the proper word count. Pick a main theme (such as “Protecting yourself from Lyme disease”) and give a few details to flesh it out.

Point people to more information. The CALDA website at www.lymedisease.org is of course my personal favorite, and www.ilads.org and www.lymediseaseassociation.org are other good choices.

Go ahead, give it a try. It’s an easy way to get your feet wet. Who knows, you may just turn into a Lyme activist. We need every one we can get.

Contact this blogger at dleland@lymedisease.org.